Teaching Learning Center

TLC Lab School for Child Care & Preschool

Lakeland's Teaching Learning Center (TLC) provides children with a developmentally appropriate education using discovery, guided exploration and play.

Full-time child care is available year-round for ages 16 months – pre-K.

Part-time preschool is available September – May for ages three years – pre-K.

Are you interested in enrolling your child? Please complete and submit the TLC pre-registration form.

The TLC is an accredited day school licensed through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Our program is rated gold by the Ohio Step Up To Quality program.

All TLC educators are experienced with at least an associate degree or higher in early childhood education, or a related field of study. All educators have Ohio teaching licenses. The facility requires security code access and appreciates the protection of a dedicated on-campus law enforcement team.

The TLC gets young children excited for learning! Teacher guidance, social interactions, positive relationships and meaningful school activities all engage and enrich TLC children.

Families are a key element of our program. Monthly newsletters, family events and parent/teacher meetings create a true learning community. Parents and caregivers often provide ideas and feedback to enhance the value TLC provides to every enrolled child.

Our full-time child care rooms are year-round programs. View our hours of operation.

Toddler room: 16 months – three years

Toddlers thrive with daily enrichment activities that foster growth and learning. Our nurturing educators guide educational play to promote independence, self-awareness and social skills. Within our stimulating environment, children learn at their own pace. Each day features creative arts, play time, nature exploration, building with blocks and language-based curriculum. This caring atmosphere allows educators, children and families to lay the foundation for future success.

TLC pre-registration form

Preschool rooms: Three years – pre-K

Our preschool nurtures young learners through discovery-based exploration and play. Guided by skilled educators, children develop cognitive and language skills in a prepared, child-centered classroom. Daily enrichment fosters positive self-concept, socialization and creative expression. Activities include dramatic play, art, music, science, math, language and writing. Each day offers individual choices and small group experiences, providing developmentally appropriate opportunities to all children.

TLC pre-registration form

Ages three years - pre-K (potty-trained)

Our part-time preschool operates September – May. View our hours of operation.

In part-time preschool, children will experience well-rounded care through socialization with peers, daily engagement and developmentally appropriate activities. Our classroom environment is designed for creative learning opportunities, encouraging learning through play. Our curriculum is guided by the children's interests and life experiences.

TLC pre-registration form.

Lakeland's Teaching Learning Center (TLC) exists to:

• Demonstrate and exemplify excellence in preschool/pre-kindergarten practices and to provide a high quality, developmentally appropriate educational setting for children 16 months to five-years of age
• Serve as a training facility and observational site for Lakeland Community College students preparing for careers in early childhood education, psychology, nursing, education, and other related fields
• Function as a laboratory for development of curriculum and teaching strategies for early childhood centers
• Provide an educational child care service of the highest quality to Lakeland Community College and community families

The mission of our program is to provide a safe, quality learning environment for young children while modeling a developmentally appropriate early childhood program for Lakeland Community College's Early Childhood Education Department.

• Provide an educational child care program of the highest quality to Lakeland Community College and community families
• Provide children 16 months to pre-K with developmentally appropriate educational experiences
• Provide a quality program whose curriculum is based on promoting development in all areas addressed in the Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards
• Establish a positive ongoing rapport with caregivers by being supportive of families' goals and needs
• Serve as a training facility and observational site for Lakeland Community College students that are preparing for careers in Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Nursing, Education and other related fields
• Function as a laboratory for the development of curriculum and teaching strategies for early childhood centers

We believe children learn through hands-on experiences that are active, engaging and meaningful, in a play-based environment that fosters development of the whole child. Teachers are facilitators, who actively participate in children's learning, while developing a partnership with each family. These professionals create an environment that meets the individual needs of all children while fostering independence, promoting problem-solving and strengthening communication skills. Each classroom should be welcoming and establish a culture for learning, through setting appropriate goals for children, in a developmentally appropriate environment that celebrates diversity.

The TLC is a state-of-the-art demonstration laboratory school, sponsored by the early childhood education associate degree program at Lakeland Community College. Students work under the direct and careful supervision of classroom lead teachers and department supervisors in all program classrooms.