NSU Child Development Center

The NSU Child Development Center, located at 1 Caldwell Drive in Natchitoches, Louisiana, is home to the Marie Shaw Dunn Child Development Center, a preschool program for three and four year old children. This Tier III preschool center has received an excellent rating and is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The center is committed to providing the best early learning environment for parents, children, and university students.

At NSU CDC, community, enriching learning environments, and family involvement are highly valued. The center fosters a sense of community through partnerships with the university and the wider community, delivering high-quality early childhood programming, engaging teachers, and cutting-edge research.

Parents rave about the care and attention their children receive at NSU CDC, with children encouraged to learn through play and hands-on activities. The staff work tirelessly to ensure each child's individual needs are met, creating a nurturing and stimulating environment. Parents are also encouraged to be involved in the center's events and activities, fostering a strong sense of community and collaboration.

Admission to NSU CDC is open to children ages 3 and 4, regardless of background, and enrollment is offered to children of NSU students, staff, faculty, alumni, as well as those not affiliated with the university. The center follows a structured curriculum, The Creative Curriculum, which focuses on developing independent, self-confident, and enthusiastic learners through active exploration of the environment.

Teachers at NSU CDC use Teaching Strategies, a performance-based assessment tool, to track children's progress and tailor their teaching to individual needs. The center also implements the Project Approach, guiding students through in-depth studies of real-world topics to promote high-quality work and personal growth.

Overall, NSU Child Development Center is praised for providing a nurturing, enriching environment where children thrive and learn through play, setting a strong foundation for their educational journey.