Early Childhood Development Center
At the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC), you will find a program unique to the Crookston community. We offer a dedicated staff and an environment designed specifically with your child's educational needs in mind. Our goal is to provide your child with a rich and varied learning experience and to instill in your child a lifelong love of learning.
Why choose the ECDC?
- The ECDC offers University of Minnesota Crookston students majoring in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education practicum, field study, and observation experiences.
- Children are able to experience nature in a variety of settings, such as:
- going outside two times each day (weather permitting)
- participating in planting and harvesting produce at the ECDC garden
- going on campus field trips such as UMC Animal Science facilities (to see various farm animals), the Butterfly garden, the Bog garden and the Wildlife Museum
- Observation rooms for parents, staff, and students to observe children without disruption.
- Our staff provide a developmentally appropriate approach to learning, and strive to affirm the growth of the whole child in a positive, enthusiastic and stimulating environment.
- Classroom ratios meet and exceed the Minnesota Department of Human Services standards and reflects the guidelines set on the national level.
- On-site nursing room for nursing mothers.
We all look forward to working with you in caring for your child. If you have any questions that are not covered in this web page, please call the Early Childhood Development Center anytime at (218) 281-8285.
History, Purpose and Philosophy
History, Purpose and Philosophy
History
In the fall of 1974, the first Children’s Center on the Crookston campus was opened; it was used for student majoring in Health and Family Services. The center was located in the lower level of Robertson Hall, a resident hall that is no longer on the Crookston campus.
On May 5, 1999, construction of the new Early Childhood Development Center began. The building was designed to be used as a laboratory for students majoring in Early Childhood Education as a home to high quality early childhood care and education. The building was dedicated on November 1, 2000.
Purpose
The primary purposes of the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) is:
- To provide the students majoring in Teacher Education at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, an opportunity to observe and participate in a teacher-training laboratory.
- To provide the University (students, staff, faculty) and Crookston community with an early childhood education/child care service that ensures a high quality program for young children and their families.
Philosophy
We believe that children need affectionate, secure, trusting relationships, new experiences, recognition, and respect as unique, whole persons. The Director and professional teaching staff members will strive to affirm the growth of the whole child by meeting his/her physical, intellectual, social and emotional needs in a positive, enthusiastic and stimulating environment.
Programs and Curriculum
Programs and Curriculum
Programs
The UMC Early Childhood Development Center has three separate programs:
- Infant - 8 children (6 weeks to 16 months - 1:3 ratio)
- Toddler - 12 children (16 months to 35 months - 1:4 ratio)
- Preschool - 20 children (33 months to kindergarten - 1:8 ratio)
Curriculum
Our curriculum is developmentally-based, success-oriented, and supports a process approach to learning:
- Inquiry Curriculum - math, science, social studies, and nutrition.
- Physical Curriculum - sensory, fine and gross motor development.
- Language Curriculum - language development, literature, pre-reading and writing.
- Creative Curriculum - art, music, drama and movement.
Tuition Rates
Tuition Rates
2022 - 2023 |
Infant Program |
Toddler Program |
Preschool Program |
---|---|---|---|
Full-Day Enrollment:Includes: breakfast, lunch and p.m. snack, formula (infants), teacher guidance, parent conferences, written progress reports, classroom supplies and materials (excluding diapers). Hours: Anytime between 7:30a.m. - 5:00p.m. |
$865 monthly | $769 monthly | $696 monthly |
Rates effective September 1, 2022
Childcare tuition is subject to change the beginning of each year (September 1). Childcare tuition is billed as a flat monthly rate. You will not receive a credit for regularly scheduled ECDC closure dates. Your tuition rate will be prorated when the ECDC closes in August (3 Professional Development Days) and the dates in December/January 1 (Winter Break) and June/July (Summer Break, 2 weeks).
Add How to Pay Tuition
Your payment, including invoice information, should be paid to the UM Regents to ensure prompt receipt, as late fees of $5.00 per day are charged if received after the due date.
The preferred payment method is to pay your invoice by credit card at
You will need the following information from your statement
- Full account name
- Customer number
- Invoice number
- Amount due
Application Procedure
Application Procedure
Enrollment
To enroll your child at the ECDC, you must complete the following steps. All forms must be completed annually and prior to the child’s first day of attendance, as required by Minnesota DHS licensing.
- Complete the 2022 Registration Form
and return to the ECDC. A $15 registration fee will be billed to your account on the first month of enrollment.
- Complete and return the additional application materials, listed below.
Must be completed by parent
- Parent Permission Form
- Agreement Form
- Household Income Statement
Must be completed by your child’s physician
- Health Care Summary Form
- Immunization Records Form
Determination of a child’s enrollment is based on the following prioritized factors:
- Licensing capacity
- Consistency of scheduling
- University students, faculty, staff
- Date application was received
- Currently enrolled families
Our Facility
Our Facility
Infant Classroom
- Nursing
- Sleeping
- Food preparation
- Diapering/Laundry
Toddler Classroom
- Bathroom/diapering
- Mudroom/clothing storage
- Dinning/table activity area
Preschool Classroom
- Bathroom
- Large group area with smartboard
- Mudroom/clothing storage
- Dinning/table activity
Multipurpose Classroom
- Used for indoor large motor play
- Or as extra classroom
- Includes a bathroom
Outdoor Play Space
- Toddler Playground Equipment
- Preschool Playground Equipment
Observation Rooms
At the ECDC, we have two observation rooms (toddler & preschool) that parents, students or staff can use to observe children in the classroom without disruption.
Learn more about the Early Childhood Building at UMC.
Family Resources
Family Resources
Nutrition
At the ECDC, we will provide three nutritious meals each day, (breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack) for children that follows the guidelines set by the USDA Child Care Food Program. Breakfast and afternoon snack are prepared and served by ECDC staff. Lunch is prepared by UMC Dining Services and served by the ECDC staff.
- USDA nutrition guidelines
- ECDC Menu Sample
- Food Allergy
If your child has a food allergy, the form below must be completed for the child to receive alternative meals.
ECDC Parent’s Handbook
ECDC Newsletters
Community Events & Services
- Crookston ECFE
- Crookston Area Chamber of Commerce Event Calendar
- LARL for Kids
- Crookston Early Childhood Initiative Facebook Page
- Help Me Grow Minnesota
- Polk County Public Health
- MN Department of Human Services
- Minnesota Administrative Rules for Child Care Center Licensing
- Minnesota Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors
FAQs
FAQs
How long is the wait list?
Our wait list length is different for each program; we are licensed to care for 8 infants, 12 toddlers and 20 preschoolers. We have a higher number of applicants for our infant program. We recommend that once you find out you are expecting you complete a registration form and return it to the ECDC, to be placed on the waiting list. It is possible to be on the infant wait list for up to 16 months.
If you would like to enroll a toddler or preschooler, please complete a registration form and return it to the ECDC, once received you will be put on the waitlist.
Families on the waiting list will be notified once your child is eligible for enrollment. If your child ages out of the program originally registered for, you will be notified to see if you want your child to be moved to the next program age, without losing position on the wait list.
How do I complete enrollment forms?
To complete enrollment forms, please download and print the enrollment forms (found in the "Application Procedure" tab above), once completed, please return to the ECDC. Our forms are located under the application procedure tab; please click here to be redirected.
How do I set up a tour?
In order to provide a safe and secure environment for all children, we can only permit visitors to enter the ECDC if the director accompanies you. Tours are available Tuesday-Thursday; tours are not scheduled during the children’s rest time, 12 noon to 2p.m. To request a tour please call 218-281-8285.
Can I visit my child at the ECDC?
Yes, we have an open door policy when it comes to parents visiting. We encourage all parents to visit the center when they can, with the exception of rest time, 12 noon to 2 p.m.
My preschooler won’t take a nap; will he/she still have to rest?
Yes, we encourage all children to rest during naptime even if they do not sleep. Your child is not required to remain on their cot after resting quietly for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, the child will be taken to the mudroom; where he/she will be provided with quiet activities to participate in until the remainder of children are awake.
Do I need to complete enrollment forms each year my child is enrolled?
Yes, we require every family to complete all enrollment forms each year, for each child enrolled. A $15 registration fee will be charged per child annually, for example if your child is enrolled September 2017, and you choose to enroll in summer care for the summer of 2018; you will not be charged another registration fee.
What types of meals will you be serving my child?
At the ECDC, we will provide three nutritious meals each day, (breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack) for children that follows the guidelines set by the USDA Child Care Food Program. For more information on nutrition at the ECDC please see the "Family Resources" tab above.
What do you do when it is too cold for children to go outside?
In the winter months, outside time is dependent on two factors, temperature and wind-chill. On days that it is determined to be too cold, the multipurpose room is used to promote large motor development.
Does the ECDC hire student employees in addition to full-time classroom teachers?
Yes, the ECDC also hires UMC students as childcare aids to assist teaching staff in the classroom. We have a variety of student employees’ at the ECDC who come from different majors and cultural backgrounds. Many of our students are education majors, such as Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Education-Program Management, and Elementary Education. We also employ students who are focused in assortment of majors such as Business, Animal Science and many more. The variety of student employees’ interests and cultural backgrounds allows the ECDC to provide children with unique, diverse experiences, not only in education, but also in culture.
Department Faculty & Staff
Department Faculty & Staff
Child Care Teacher (218) 281-8285 |
Head Child Development Teacher (218) 281-8285 |
Head Child Development Teacher, School Age Teacher (August - May) (218) 281-8285 |
Director of ECDC (218) 281-8285 |
Early Childhood Development Center
University of Minnesota Crookston
117 Early Childhood Building
2900 University Ave
Crookston, MN 56716
PHONE: 218-281-8285
FAX:
Hours
Center Open - 7:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday