282 MTSU CHILD CARE LAB PROVIDES SECURE, SMART PLAYGROUND

OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 13, 2008
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

MTSU CHILD CARE LAB PROVIDES SECURE, SMART PLAYGROUND
Experienced Caretakers Teach and Play While Mommy and Daddy Learn

(MURFREESBORO) – Tucked away in a nondescript corner of the campus is a sunny collection of vivid colors and smiling faces with the uncharacteristically sterile name of the MTSU Child Care Lab. For students, faculty and staff who have children, it is a haven that enables those parents to pursue school or work without worrying about their youngsters’ welfare.
“We spend countless hours on trying to plan and make sure that the children have things that are appropriate for their age and make it interesting for them and safe and nurturing,” says Anita Nicholson, who has worked at the lab on Womack Lane for seven years.
In fact, each child’s day is a mixture of self-directed activities, teacher-directed activities and gross motor play with time for lunch, snacks and a midday nap. The children are not separated by age.
“The purpose of this curriculum is not just academic—colors, numbers, letters, preparation for kindergarten—but, at this age, it’s just as important to get them ready for the social skills, learning to be in a group setting, learning how to share, learning how to follow directions, maybe more than one direction at a time,” says Nancy James, director of the lab, who has been there for 19 years.
James says the lab was created in 1981 with the blessing of MTSU President Sam Ingram, who insisted that students be able to use it as a learning experience. Students who work in the lab or write about it for class papers typically major in nursing, early childhood education, social work, psychology or speech and hearing.
The teachers are looking forward to the lab’s 30-year anniversary, which will coincide with the university’s centennial in 2011. James says dignitaries, parents and children, past and present, will be invited to a reception at which they will be treated to a slideshow to relive the memories.
While notoriously low pay and high turnover are associated with the child care profession, the kids at the MTSU Child Care Lab are fortunate to be in the hands of three capable veterans. In addition to Nicholson and James, there’s Zona Frazier, who has wiped runny noses and brought stories to life for tiny tykes for 23 years.

“We like to think they’re learning while playing,” Frazier says. “The money will not keep you here. Trust me. You have to love what you do.”
The kids love what their teachers do, too, and they remember it well into adulthood. Frazier says former students come back to visit at each April’s graduation ceremony. Word of mouth is the only advertising necessary.
In addition to the stability and qualifications of the personnel, the lab’s major selling point is its three-star rating, the highest grade the state of Tennessee issues to such facilities.
“My son has been a student at the day care for almost two years, and he provides the best testimony,” says Dr. Karen Petersen, assistant professor of political science. “He
loves going to school and does not appreciate the long breaks! The teachers at the day
care are not only highly qualified; they love the children. We tried other day cares, and there is no comparison.”
The lab is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. year round except when classes are not in session. It is licensed by the state for children ages three through five. Parents pay a flat fee of $102 a week if their youngster attends five days a week. Those whose kids attend on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays pay $61, and those whose youngsters attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays are charged $41.
Priority is given to students who need child care in the fall and spring semesters on either a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule or a Tuesday-Thursday schedule. Those who need child care five days a week are given second priority. The order of priority is reversed in the summer semester.
For more information about the MTSU Child Care Lab, contact James at 615-898-2970 or njames@mtsu.edu.

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ATTENTION, MEDIA: For photos of the MTSU Child Care Lab, contact Gina Logue in the Office of News and Public Affairs at 615-898-5081 or gklogue@mtsu.edu.