City Colleges of Chicago Opens Enrollment for Child Development Lab Schools Across Five Campuses (Chicago, IL) – City Colleges of Chicago is now accepting enrollment for its Child Development Laboratory Schools, offering early childhood education programs for children ages 2 to 5 at five college campuses across the city.
The lab schools provide research-based learning environments designed to support children’s social, emotional, and academic development through hands-on exploration, play, and collaboration. Programs include Head Start and Preschool for All, with the next program year beginning Aug. 21. Officials say space is limited, and waitlists are available for families interested in enrolling.
“As education systems across the country seek more effective, research-driven approaches to early childhood development, laboratory schools have emerged as a cornerstone for shaping young learners,” City Colleges said in announcing the enrollment period.
Whitney Regis, whose child attends one of the lab schools, praised the program’s impact.
“Enrolling my child in a LAB school was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my child’s education,” Regis said. “The nurturing environment and thoughtful curriculum have helped my child grow socially, emotionally, and academically.”
Hollie Jaye, senior advisor to the City Colleges of Chicago provost and dean of Education and Teacher Programs at Harry S Truman College, said the schools are intentionally designed to match the way young children learn.
“Our lab schools create an unparalleled learning ecosystem for young minds,” Jaye said. “Children thrive in our settings because it is designed to align with how young children learn — through exploration, play, collaboration, and meaningful relationships.”
Unlike traditional preschool programs, City Colleges’ laboratory schools also serve as training sites for future educators and researchers, allowing teaching practices to be continually refined through child development research.
Officials say the schools focus on child-centered learning, employ highly trained educators, incorporate research-backed instructional practices, and emphasize holistic development, including language, literacy, social-emotional growth, and executive functioning skills.
The Child Development Laboratory Schools are located at:
- Richard J. Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski Rd.
- Kennedy-King College, 710 W. 65th St., Building Z
- Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd.
- Olive-Harvey College, 10001 S. Woodlawn Ave.
- Harry S Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave.
Families interested in enrolling can email CDLS@ccc.edu or visit www.ccc.edu and search for “Laboratory Schools” for additional information.
City Colleges of Chicago Opens Enrollment for Child Development Lab Schools Across Five Campuses
