Early Childhood Development Center

Seton Hill University’s Child Development Center (CDC) is a preschool for children ages three to five. The CDC is under the direction of the Division of Education of the university and is nationally accredited. While the CDC provides a valuable community service, its primary goal is to provide the students of Seton Hill University with the opportunity to observe, work and learn in an accredited early childhood environment. 

Sessions

The CDC conducts three-hour half-day sessions, five days a week, at the following times:

• Morning: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Afternoon: 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

This program follows the university calendar.

Apply 

Download the Application for Admission (pdf).

Contact Us

For further information:

• Call (724) 838-4258 or (724) 830-1032.
• Email hallam@setonhill.edu.
• Download our Parent Handbook (pdf).

Five Good Reasons to Enroll Your Child in Seton Hill’s Early Childhood Development Center

1. We care about young children.

Attention is plentiful. Class size is limited with a minimum of four adults in the classroom. Your child will benefit from this optimal adult/child interaction.

2. We are child-centered with an academic focus.
Each student is provided with encouragement to explore, to solve problems, to share ideas and to develop language skills on his/her own level. We maintain an atmosphere of play and nurturing care while promoting creative expression, socialization, independence and academic learning in a secure surrounding. 

3. We offer an innovative work/play environment.
We are equipped with the finest quality resources for early childhood education. Our children have the choice of working on the computer, climbing the playground equipment, solving problems at the water/sand table, or participating in a host of other developmentally appropriate activities. 

4. Our children are part of the university.
Our location on the beautiful Seton Hill University campus provides a variety of cultural and educational experiences. Under the supervision of the Seton Hill University Education Program, we visit the university library, the gym, the art gallery, and other facilities on the campus. Your child may learn to sing a song in Spanish, observe a chemistry experiment or attend a puppet show performed by university students. Sometimes professors visit our classroom to share information about their fields of study.

5. It is economical! 

For approximately $8 per hour, less than the cost of a babysitter, you can give your child the Seton Hill University Early Childhood experience. Although placing a value on your child’s growth and enrichment is impossible, we think you will find the Child Development Center to be an investment in your child’s future.

Staff

Georgine Hallam


Coordinator of the Seton Hill University Early Childhood Programs and Director of the Child Development Center.

M.Ed., California University of Pennsylvania, Early Childhood Education
B.S., California University of Pennsylvania, Elementary Education. Early Childhood Education, Seton Hill University. 

Richelle Gourley

Lead Teacher, Child Development Center

B.A., Seton Hill University, Psychology Certification in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education and Child Care 



Seton Hill Students 


Seton Hill students are an integral part of the Center. Under the direction of the Center teachers, the students focus on the promotion of the total development of the children. Seton Hill students have all the necessary clearances to work with young children. Additionally, their course work in education is valuable training and allows them to put theory into practice.


Accreditation by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs (NAEYC)

The Academy is a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), an organization that establishes guidelines for excellence in Early Childhood Programs. Membership in NAEYC does not automatically accredit a program. The accreditation process is voluntary. Accredited programs must meet and maintain stringent criteria in the areas of health and safety, relationships, curriculum, assessment of children, teaching and teachers, family and community relationships, leadership and management, and environment.