The staff of UD’s Early Learning Center celebrate 20 years of service alongside parents, teachers, alumni and friends.

Nurturing the whole child

Article by Jessica Henderson Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson and Shelly Silva March 05, 2025

UD’s Early Learning Center celebrates 20 years of excellence in early childhood education and community partnership

This academic year, the University of Delaware’s Early Learning Center (ELC) celebrates 20 years of excellence in early childhood education and community impact. Since its establishment in 2004, the ELC has grown into one of the largest early childhood centers in the state, serving more than 200 children from the ages of 6 weeks through second grade. Housed on the College of Education and Human Development’s Children’s Campus, it also serves as a learning laboratory for UD students and partners with families, school districts and state organizations to serve Delaware communities.

“Our family truly loves the ELC,” said Kaylah Dessausure, a parent of two children who have attended the center. “Through the years, we’ve seen the ELC adapt and grow with care, equity and compassion for both staff and families. The environment is warm, welcoming and diverse, with excellent staff and high-quality education. The ELC has given me peace of mind knowing my children were in great hands—not just with the dedicated staff, but through the authentic connections made with other families.”

Excellence in early childhood care and education

Twenty years ago, the ELC opened its doors to 80 children, committed to improving access to excellent early childhood care and education through a full-day, full-year program. Open 51 weeks a year and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the ELC remains committed to its mission. The center offers infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children a research-informed, discovery-based curriculum with an emphasis on social and emotional development.

“At the ELC, we support the whole child by providing hands-on learning through play experiences, intentionally designed by our teaching teams,” said Jessica Peace, co-director of the ELC with Kelly Freel. “These experiences are found not only in the planned activities, but also within the individual conversations, interactions and day-to-day routines and structures.”

An aerial photo of the ELC on CEHD’s Children’s Campus in Newark, Delaware.

Since assuming their co-director roles in 2022, Freel and Peace have continued to refine and enhance the ELC’s educational approach. They’ve also focused on staff well being, education and retention, increasing compensation and supporting teachers as they pursued professional development.

“The ELC administration and staff have given me opportunities beyond what I ever thought I could have in a part-time job, including skills in relationship building with children and families, collaboration with staff members, classroom management and so many more,” said Ashley Tedesco, a part-time teacher.

Family and community partnerships

In addition to high-quality care and education, the ELC prioritizes meaningful family and community partnerships. Though the bustling center serves hundreds of families with more than 130 staff members, Freel and Peace have created an intimate, relationship-based environment where staff members work closely with families to support each child’s unique needs.

“Family partnerships are the very heart of our philosophy,” Freel said. “We partner with families in setting goals, sharing successes, completing child screenings and watching for any developmental milestones that may need more support. Our outstanding team of dedicated professionals understands that they are laying the foundation for all future educational experiences, and they know that the first step in this journey is building trust with parents and caregivers.”

Classmates at the ELC work together to build a pirate ship.

“The ELC has a great community of people,” said Siani Santiago, an ELC parent. “Our girls love the ELC, and we can tell that they have so much fun with their teachers and classmates, growing more independent each day. We notice how deeply every teacher cares for their students’ development and daily needs, and we enjoy the daily feedback we receive. As parents, we also love the inclusion that ELC provides through family events and resources.”

For many years, the ELC has also partnered with organizations across Delaware to increase access to childcare and support parents and caregivers as they pursue job training or complete their education.

“The most important community partnerships are the ones that add value and equity for all children and families, like our partnership with New Directions Early Head Start in our infant and toddler program; the state-funded seats for our preschool and pre-K children; our participation in Purchase of Care and the Child and Adult Care Food Program; and our new Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant, which provides childcare scholarships to the children of Pell Grant-eligible UD student parents,” Peace said.

Early Learning Center impact

Over the last 20 years, the ELC has served approximately 4,000 children and supported more than 8,000 UD undergraduate and graduate students across all six colleges. As a learning laboratory, the ELC serves as a site for student practicums, field placements, internships, research projects, volunteer hours and service projects in early childhood education, school psychology, physical therapy and even landscape architecture. They’ve also partnered with Delaware school districts to offer paid internships to high schoolers interested in early childhood education.

Preschoolers pretend to cook in the ELC’s outdoor mud kitchen.

Mackenzie Murray, a senior in CEHD’s early childhood education program, first learned about the ELC as a sophomore. She completed her field experiences there, studying and collaborating with teachers in the ELC’s infant and toddler classrooms.

“I became well-acquainted with the high standards upheld at the ELC and developed a deep appreciation for the thoughtful, child-centered approach that defines the learning environment,” Murray said. “I also formed strong, trusting relationships with my clinical instructors and many other staff members, which made the experience even more meaningful.”

In fact, Murray was so inspired by the ELC that she has continued to work there during the summers, cherishing the support and mentorship she’s received.

“This opportunity has allowed me to grow as an educator, learning from exceptional professionals and gaining hands-on experience in fostering not only academic and social development but also emotional well-being through reassurance and trust-building,” Murray said. “The ELC has reinforced my passion for early childhood education and has been instrumental in shaping my professional growth.”

The ELC celebrated its anniversary with a fall festival that drew nearly 500 parents, teachers, alumni and friends. To learn more about the ELC’s curriculum, partnership work or research opportunities, visit its website.