1:8
Staff to Child ration for preschool
2
Centers on Campus, separated by age
1:4
Staff to Child ratio for infants

Our Mission

In partnership with Darden College of Education, the Mission of Old Dominion University Children's Learning and Research Center is to offer the highest quality early education for the children of ODU faculty, staff, students and the metropolitan Hampton Roads community. Collaboratively with the Darden College of Education, we are a facility for teacher training and a site for academic research.

Message from the Director

Welcome to Old Dominion University's Children's Learning and Research Center! We proudly offer full-day and half-day programs that serve children and families of both the ODU and the South Hampton Roads community.

The Darden College of Education & Professional Studies is home to the Children's Learning and Research Center, a program that focuses on the early care and education of ODU's youngest students. In addition to providing the highest-quality care, education and support for our families, these programs serve as a training facility for our undergraduate and graduate level students in early childhood education (Pre K-3) and elementary education (Pre K-6).

Staffed by bachelor's and master's degree-level teachers and graduate-level practicum students, our children receive a great deal of individual attention that promotes optimal learning and development. Our developmentally appropriate curricula focus on social and emotional development, cognitive, physical and language/literacy development. We focus on preparing children for today and tomorrow--creating children who are autonomous and enthusiastic life-long learners.

We welcome the opportunity to share these wonderful programs with you. We invite you to explore our programs and see what ODU Children's Learning and Research Center can do for you!

Kimberly Williamson, Director

Our Teachers

Our staff includes a Lead Teacher for each classroom who is a master's or bachelor's level professional, trained to be knowledgeable about and attentive to the individual needs of children, with the assistance of part-time teaching assistants. Practicum students from early childhood and other academic areas of study may be placed in the classroom to assist the Lead Teacher.

Children's Learning and Research Center at ODU

Our Facilities

The Old Dominion University Children's Learning and Research Centers are fully licensed facilities.

In August 2018, we opened a brand new building for our infant and toddler programs. The building features five classrooms, proxy readers throughout the facility for secured access, a large indoor play space, class observation rooms, conference room, and fenced in playground to include a water play station, and sand play area.

The CLRC is a nut-free zone.