RACE TO THE TOP is our nation’s current strategy for preparing students

for success in life.

To prepare our children for a life

of learning—

Let’s give them a quality start to EARLY

LEARNING!

To ensure quality early learning, Oregon is RAISING THE BAR for TEACHER

EDUCATION.

A leader in higher education for Early

Childhood Professionals

School of Education

ONLINE Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Development

NEW! Masters of Education (MEd) in Early Learning

ON-CAMPUS ECE/Elem Undergrad & Graduate Programs

Schneider Children’s Center in student family housing

Community Preschool at SOU in the School of Education

School of Education

Schneider Children’s Center in student family housing

School of Education

Serving student & faculty families Licensed facility for 54 children Infants, toddlers, preschoolers USDA food program

Community Preschool at SOU in the School of Education

School of Education

Serving mostly community families 24 children with the capacity to grow Children ages 3-5 ½ day or full day Afternoon Kindergarten

enrichment program

The SOU Early Learning Labs

Community Preschool at SOU

Schneider Children’s Center

School of Education

Providing quality early childcare for families

Research/training site for students & professionals

Aligned with Southern Oregon University’s mission:

serving as a beacon of Innovation & Leadership

in the Western region

The SOU Early Learning Labs

A Collaborative ProcessA Series of Meetings

facilitated by Sharon Dvora

Meeting one anotherSharing about our programs

Moving towards a collective vision

A system needs access to itself. It needs to understand who it

is, where it is, what it believes, what it

knows.

Meg Wheatley

Purposeful, Intentional Planning towards Financial

Sustainability Opening a Meaningful Dialogue Aligning Theory & Practice Shared Philosophy & Mission Designing an Innovative Approach Expanding our Reach Potential to Grow our Programs

School of EducationSchneider Children’s

CenterCommunity Preschool at

SOU

Developmentally Appropriate Practices

The SOU Early Learning Labs

Holistic, Whole-Child Approach

Child-Centered, Play-BasedStrength-Based

Family Partnership Model

“Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch the water flow

by — instead, they should embark together on a journey

down the river.”

Loris Malaguzzi

SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITYState of the Art Facilities, Faculty & Staff

Uniquely positioned to be a regional leader in early learning

Joining the other major OSU campuses in establishing lab schools for training, research

& outreach.

A Regional Training Center

for Early Childhood Education

Drawing students from across the region through articulation with 12 Community Colleges in Southern Oregon & Northern California.

A resource of expertise for the wider community.

The SOU Early Learning Labs

Practicum students put best practices

into action alongside master teachers in the Early Learning Labs.

Saturday Workshops for Students & Early Childhood Professionals

Professional Development Offerings

Preschool Program Directors Workshop

Family Partnership & Studies Center

A Model Site for Presenting Programs

to the Regional Community

Opportunities for Collaboration across Campus

Early childhood programs share resources, offer programs, seek funding opportunities together.

Inter-disciplinary research & exchange for students of psychology, music, environmental education, special education & more.

The SOU Early Learning Labs

Establishing financial sustainability for the

early learning programs on campus.

Qualifying for federal and state funding opportunities.

Outcomes of the Early Learning Labs —creative children, healthy families & highly qualified

educators

Next steps:Gain institutional support

Apply for funding opportunitiesPartner with the community

The SOU Early Learning Labs