Child Development Labs
Children learn best as they interact firsthand with people, their environments, and the natural world. The BYU-Idaho Child Development Labs provide opportunities for children to engage in hands-on learning, using their sense to develop curiosity and a sense of wonder.
As a teacher training program, the BYU-Idaho Child Development Labs provides students with opportunities to:
Child Development Lab Programs
Toddlers must be at least 18 months prior to the start date of Toddler Lab and may turn three during the course of the semester, but not before.
Each Toddler Lab typically has 12 children.
Children must not turn 5 before September 1. If they turn after September 1, they may participate in labs that year before starting kindergarten the following fall.
We cannot accept 5-year-olds who would have otherwise started school in the fall, even if parents choose to hold them back a year.
Preschool Labs typically have 18-20 children.
Children must be eligible to be enrolled in or have completed kindergarten before to beginning the lab.
The School Age Lab serves up to 24 children.
Child Development Lab Enrollment
Child lab spots are often in high demand, and families will likely experience a waiting period from the time they apply to be in lab to the time their child is actually enrolled.
Children are accepted into the program according to waitlist order. We strive to have an equal number of boys and girls in each classroom, which is be taken into consideration when offering spots.
Children are accepted into each class according to:
- Waitlist Order
- Age
- Gender
Our goal is to offer each child two semesters in each age group (2 toddler, 2 preschool, 2 school age), when possible.
Upon enrollment, there will be a tuition fee and required paperwork, both must be completed by the deadline, or your child will not be able to attend lab.
After Applying to the Waitlist
Child enrollment takes place after BYU-Idaho students are registered, and offers typically are emailed in November, March, and June for the subsequent semester.
Child Development Lab Semesters:
- Fall (end of September to early December)
- Winter (end of January to early April)
- Spring (early May to mid-July)
PLEASE complete only one application for your child.
The total fee for the entire semester is $125 for all ages.
Your child’s application remains valid for the entire time they are of Child Development Lab age, and you do not need to complete a new application each semester.
Please note we have an extensive waiting list for our labs, and we do our best to accommodate as many children as possible.
- Once your child’s application is complete, they are automatically placed on our waiting list for future lab opportunities.
- Children are placed in labs according to waitlist order, however, other factors such as age and gender balance in each lab are also considered.
- You will be notified via email of any offers your child receives to participate in our labs. You will be given a deadline to respond. If you do not accept the spot by the deadline, your child's offer will be forfeited to the next child on the waiting list.
- Your child’s placement in labs is on a semester-by-semester basis, and enrollment in consecutive semesters is not guaranteed.
- If your child is accepted into our labs, you will be required to complete additional paperwork at that time, including observation consent, photography consent, immunization and medical information, and participation liability waivers.
- Tuition and paperwork MUST be completed by the deadline outlined in your offer. If they're not completed in time, your child’s spot will be forfeited to the next child on the waiting list.
- Enrollment of children is offered after our BYU-Idaho students are registered, which occurs approximately in November, March, and June for the following semester.
Child Development Labs State Licensure
BYU-Idaho Child Development Labs is a licensed facility that adheres to state standards for child care organizations through Idaho STARS. The labs provide a practicum experience for student teachers at BYU-Idaho who are pursuing degrees in Child Development and Family Consumer Science Education.
Children of BYU-Idaho faculty and students, as well as members of the community patrons, are welcome to apply and participate in this lab experience, where future teachers are trained in their field of study.
