Sound more like a preschool than a university? Actually, it’s both.

The Early Childhood Laboratory at UK, or ECL, serves as a preschool program for Fayette County children, while it serves as a teacher training and research facility for UK students and educators. Each year, about 100 eligible children attend the ECL’s preschool, infant/toddler and Early Start programs. While other universities across the state offer similar programs, UK has the only full-day infant/toddler lab. During July, a special lab based on the Reggio Approach offers children opportunities for learning and fun.

Darlene Goring, an assistant professor in the UK College of Law, said she and her husband placed their son, Trey, in the ECL when he was 4 months old after carefully searching Lexington for a daycare and considering home care.

"He has just blossomed there," said Goring of Trey who is now 2 years old. "He’s very verbal, he’s counting and he’s sharp as a whip."

Trey, Goring said, is excited about attending the "big kids’" preschool class next year, and keeping him at the ECL is a family priority.

"I don’t think we could have found a place that could prepare him for school the way the ECL has," she said. "We’ll juggle my schedule so he can attend the half-day preschool next year."

The goal of the ECL, said director Jaesook L. Gilbert, is to serve as a model program in the early childhood community, an exemplary teaching training site for future early childhood teachers and a site for research in early education and care. The ECL, staffed with master’s degree level teachers, seeks to attract a diverse student body, including children with special needs. Fostering creativity, promoting active learning and nurturing cognitive, emotional, physical and social development are key missions of the lab.

The importance of early childhood development recently has been underscored by findings of brain development research, Gilbert noted.

"The research illustrates how quality care is an essential component to the actual wiring of the human brain," she said. "The stimulation, instruction and care children receive during the first three to five years have a great impact on children’s current and future development."

Recognizing the fundamental role of early childhood education in creating the bright minds of tomorrow, Gov. Paul Patton established this year the Office of Early Childhood Development and selected UK professor and former ECL director Kim Townley as its director.

Gilbert said the ECL not only provides that essential, high-quality education with low child-to-teacher ratios, but also gives UK students in interdisciplinary early childhood education, sociology, psychology, education and others a chance to learn good teaching practices, improve on them and conduct research.

"Our students need an opportunity to connect the area they are studying with the real world. The program’s teachers serve as role models and mentors for them," she said.

In an effort to encourage early childhood development within the larger Fayette County community, the UK Early Childhood Laboratory will host its first Carnival for Young Children from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 22. The fair-like event will feature information and activity booths, as well as entertainment.

"We hope the fair will give parents tips on education, development and health, and raise awareness of the importance of early childhood development," Gilbert said.

The carnival will take place in Erikson Hall and Memorial Hall amphitheater on the UK campus. Scheduled activities include book readings, cooking school, musical performances, face painting and visits by local fire and police departments. Booths will showcase local merchandise, entertainment and educational vendors.

Parking for the event will be off Rose and Washington streets, and no admission price will be charged. However, donations to the ECL Building Fund will be accepted.

For more information about the ECL or about attending or participating in the carnival, contact the ECL office at (606)257-7732 or e-mail addresses found at the ECL Web site.