The Douglass Psychology Child Study Center is a twelve-month Rutgers University childcare center sponsored and operated by the Psychology Department. The Center provides childcare for children ages 2-5 years of age and can trace its history back almost eighty years.
Curriculum and Schedules: Classroom learning activities are organized around weekly themes. In accordance with our Mission and Philosophy Statement, great care is devoted to creating developmentally appropriate learning activities. Large portions of the day are devoted to Center Time (self-selected learning activities). There are two Circle Times, scheduled for the children to come together to share in discussions, songs and movement activities. Outdoor play times occur two or three times a day, weather permitting. A nap time is built into the schedule for children under the age of five.
Classrooms: There are two classrooms: the Jellybean Class for children 2-3 years old and a preschool Gummibear Class for older 3 year olds, 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds. In addition, we have a Center Library, which also serves as our Research Room.
Staff: Both classrooms are led by licensed teachers. Supplementary staff consist of a full-time toddler assistant, part-time teacher aides and college fieldwork students. The child-adult ratios are usually one staff member to six children (1:4 for younger children).
Academic and Research Affiliation: The Center is the lab school for the Psychology Department. All research projects conducted must be approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University and our Center's Psychology Department Liaison, Dr. Judith Hudson; further information on procedures can be found on the Information for Researchers page. Parents will be notified in writing concerning any research projects currently being conducted at the Center and may choose whether or not they want their child to participate. The Center also provides support for the Fieldwork in Psychology: Daycare class. Fieldwork students must work a minimum of 4 hours each week in one of the classrooms to fulfill their course requirements. Further information and course syllabi can be found on the Information for Rutgers Students page.
Parent Services: Observation Rooms for both classrooms and the Library/Research Room are available so that parents may watch and listen to classroom activities at any time. These rooms are equipped with one-way mirrors and sound systems. Center parents are welcome to join the Parents' Advisory Committee. The Committee meets monthly to discuss Center policies and procedures, special activities, and fundraising. Parent workshops are available throughout the year to provide support concerning early childhood issues. Links to parent resources and medical forms can be found on the Information for Parents page.
Hours: The Center is open from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and parents may drop off and pick up any time within those hours.
Tuition and Fees: Tuition fees of $815/month for Gummibears and $880/month for Jellybeans include full-time childcare and two snacks daily. Children must bring a lunch from home. A $35 materials fee is due once yearly, in September. A $75 (or sometimes less) Activities Fee to support the Enrichment Program is charged each semester.
