About
The Early Childhood Lab School (ECLS) is a university-based lab school that describes itself as more than an early childhood education program, but a vibrant, collaborative learning community. At ECLS, staff, children, families, university students, and researchers all learn together in an environment grounded in inquiry, reflection, and respect. ECLS states that it is shaping the future of child development, one relationship at a time.
The Early Childhood Lab School (ECLS) is a vital part of the UC Davis Center for Child and Family Studies (CCFS) within the Department of Human Ecology. The CCFS has over sixty years of service and is committed to the study of all facets of child development, demonstrating the translation of theory and research into practice to improve the quality of services for children, families, and community. The CCFS describes itself as a learning laboratory for all program participants, including children, families, undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, early childhood practitioners, and policymakers. As a university-based lab school, ECLS serves undergraduate and graduate students gaining hands-on experience, faculty and researchers conducting studies, children and families receiving care and education, and community observers and professionals who rely on its expertise. ECLS emphasizes respectful, intentional learning for children and adults, ongoing dialogue, flexibility, and shared problem-solving.
The mission of the Center for Child and Family Studies is to promote healthy development through the highest quality of care, support and education for young children and their families, while demonstrating the integration of research, evidence and practice. The CCFS vision is to provide early childhood programs for children and families, to extend the education and deepen the learning of undergraduate and graduate students studying child development, to support research conducted by faculty and graduate students, to engage in applied investigations of child development and early childhood education, and to serve as a resource for regional practitioners, administrators, and policy makers while expanding professional development work throughout the state and nation. The Center for Child and Family Studies, Department of Human Ecology, is part of the national system of Experiment Stations for the United States Department of Agriculture. The CCFS provides resources and expertise to the region and state through tours, seminars, observations, and expert participation in community and state program development, policy-making and workforce training. ECLS is committed to understanding every facet of child development in order to provide a model program of early care and education.
Last updated July 5, 2026.
The Early Childhood Lab School (ECLS) is a vital part of the UC Davis Center for Child and Family Studies (CCFS) within the Department of Human Ecology. The CCFS has over sixty years of service and is committed to the study of all facets of child development, demonstrating the translation of theory and research into practice to improve the quality of services for children, families, and community. The CCFS describes itself as a learning laboratory for all program participants, including children, families, undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, early childhood practitioners, and policymakers. As a university-based lab school, ECLS serves undergraduate and graduate students gaining hands-on experience, faculty and researchers conducting studies, children and families receiving care and education, and community observers and professionals who rely on its expertise. ECLS emphasizes respectful, intentional learning for children and adults, ongoing dialogue, flexibility, and shared problem-solving.
The mission of the Center for Child and Family Studies is to promote healthy development through the highest quality of care, support and education for young children and their families, while demonstrating the integration of research, evidence and practice. The CCFS vision is to provide early childhood programs for children and families, to extend the education and deepen the learning of undergraduate and graduate students studying child development, to support research conducted by faculty and graduate students, to engage in applied investigations of child development and early childhood education, and to serve as a resource for regional practitioners, administrators, and policy makers while expanding professional development work throughout the state and nation. The Center for Child and Family Studies, Department of Human Ecology, is part of the national system of Experiment Stations for the United States Department of Agriculture. The CCFS provides resources and expertise to the region and state through tours, seminars, observations, and expert participation in community and state program development, policy-making and workforce training. ECLS is committed to understanding every facet of child development in order to provide a model program of early care and education.
Last updated July 5, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.