The philosophy of Carlow University Early Learning Center maintains that children need a safe, comfortable and enriching environment in order to develop to their maximum potential. Carlow University Early Learning Center provides a secure, nurturing, early educational environment that uses developmentally appropriate activities, experiences, and materials to engage children in active, meaningful learning.

The following goals will be achieved that will encourage the children to accomplish major developmental tasks in the areas of social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. The curriculum established within each developmental grouping will reflect the goals and philosophy.

The developmental goals for the children are:

• To foster positive self-identity and emotional well-being focusing on building self-confidence, self-esteem, independence, and self-control
• To develop social skills and strategies for coping with social issues
• To encourage language and literacy development
• To encourage children to think, reason, question, experiment, and problem solve
• To enhance physical development and skills using small and/or large muscle development
• To encourage and model sound health, safety, and nutritional practices
• To foster creative expression, representation, and appreciation for the arts
• To respect and value cultural diversity
• To enhance the awareness of the five senses: touch, taste, hear, smell and see

Carlow University Early Learning Center will also include the collaboration of the parents into the decisions and goals made for their children.

Our center strives to promote consistency in its care for young children.  Our philosophy of transition is a bit different than most traditional child care centers.  Our "continuity of care" philosophy means that our teachers and our children transition from one classroom to the next together, as opposed to when a child reaches a birthday or milestone.  This transition occurs once per year, at the end of August.  This allows cohorts of children and teachers to remain together throughout their three years with us.  New children typically enroll at this transition time in late August/early September.  However, as spaces become available, they are filled through out waiting pool.

The Early Learning Center is located on the Campus of Carlow University on the first floor of Frances Warde Hall. This is the first building on the right when entering Carlow University from the Fifth Avenue driveway.  Parking for pick-up/drop-off is located in front of Frances Warde Hall. 

The Early Learning Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our current operating hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Early Learning Center is committed to equal opportunities and affirmative action for all persons in its child care programs and in its employment practices.  While University faculty and staff, as well as Campus Laboratory School siblings do receive preference, open spaces are also available to the public.

Our center is licensed by the Department of Human Services.  Licensing regulations can be found here: http://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/055/chapter3270/chap3270toc.html&d=  

It is also accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Keystone STARS program, holding a 4-STAR accreditation.

Our teaching teams are comprised of three teachers in each classroom.  Our infant classroom capacity is eight children; our young toddler classroom capacity is 10 children; our older toddler classroom capacity is 12 children.  In addition, we have a full time floater and part-time students through the University that work in our classrooms.

Our program utilizes both the Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers and the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards for Infants and Toddlers in our lesson planning.  Lessons are designed to meet children's physical, socio-emotional, and intellectual development. We believe children learn best through play and daily interactions.  Our curriculum is designed to encourage play and support learning through everyday interactions with peers and teachers.

Meals are not provided as part of our program. Parents must supply a lunch daily for their child. Snacks are provided by our families on a monthly basis. Cow's milk is provided as part of our tuition and is served daily at lunch for children over one year old.

For mothers who are breastfeeding, it is recommended that breast milk be stored in individual storage bags. Once breast milk or formula bottles have been heated, they must be eaten or discarded after one hour.

Breastfeeding mothers are able to nurse in our classrooms or in our private staff lounge.

To apply for the waitlist at the ELC, you can download and print the application here: Paper Application

Completed applications with $50 application fee can be mailed to: Carlow University Early Learning Center, 3333 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

If you would like to schedule a tour of the facility, please contact us by phone (412)578-6314 or email elc@carlow.edu Tours are typically scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 or 11:00 a.m. We are currently only scheduling after hours tours.

New children generally begin their time with us the last week of August each year. However, as spaces become available, they are filled through our waiting pool.

The enrollment process is based on your affiliation with Carlow University, the date the application was received, and the age of your child.  Priority on the waitlist is given to Carlow University faculty and staff as well as ELC and Campus Lab School siblings.  Families will be notified in late April/early May if a space is available for the upcoming school year.  Any applications that arrive after April will be considered for the following year unless a space becomes available during the school year.

Infant Classroom

• 5 Full Days: $1,385/month
• 3 Full Days: $1,005/month
• 2 Full Days: $803/month

Toddler Classrooms

• 5 Full Days: $1,345/month
• 3 Full Days: $976/month
• 2 Full Days: $780/month