Childcare Facilities for Students

LAU provides accessible childcare facilities for students through the Early Childhood Center (ECC), established in the 1950s on the Beirut campus. Located in Shannon Hall, the ECC offers a high-quality, developmentally appropriate learning environment for young children. The center is unique for its project-based approach, small class sizes, and a dedicated staff of specialized early childhood teachers. It supports students, faculty, and parents by offering a flexible daily schedule, interactive learning spaces, and a rich, resourceful environment. The ECC also serves as a placement opportunity for LAU students to apply their knowledge in practice. This facility ensures that recent mothers can attend university courses while their children are cared for in a safe, nurturing space.

Early Childhood Center - Lab School

The Early Childhood Center is part of the Social and Education Department at the Lebanese American University. The ECC offers a unique educational program for children between 1.5 to 3.5 years of age. Located on LAU’s premises, the ECC provides a safe, interactive, and challenging learning environment.

About the ECC

The Early Childhood Center is a historic center, established back in the 1950s. Housed on the beautiful premises of LAU’s Beirut campus, the ECC is located on the ground floor of Shannon Hall surrounded by the LAU garden.

The ECC continues in line with its well-established reputation in providing a high-quality and developmentally appropriate learning experience in a rich and stimulating environment for young children. 

The ECC/Lab School coordinates with the Department of Social and Education Sciences and other departments at LAU to offer the most appropriate child-centered curriculum, and effective learning experiences based on current research findings. The ECC/Lab School also offers placement opportunities for LAU undergraduate and graduate students to apply their knowledge and skills in theory and in practice.

What Makes the ECC Unique?

The ECC is truly a unique place that is rich in resources and professional people with a distinctive approach towards learning. It combines:  

• A setting within the campus of a reputable university where strict international and high professional standards are upheld
• A rich project-based approach to teaching and learning
• The emphasis on active learning, critical thinking and creativity
• The differentiation of the instructional strategies and materials according to children’s varied readiness levels, learning styles, interests and needs
• Dedicated, caring and specialized early childhood teachers for each classroom
• Small classroom sizes with a distinctive staff-to-children ratio that supports guided and closely supervised activities
• A flexible daily schedule that honors children’s emergent ideas and responses
• A physical set-up that has been redesigned from the ground up to provide the best possible setting for young children
• Provision of booths to facilitate parent, student and faculty observations
• An enclosed-outdoor “Art Atelier” that allows children to work and play in natural light
• High-quality furniture items that comply with all the international safety requirements, have rounded edges and are GREENGUARD certified
• Childproof and non-toxic classroom materials and manipulatives from international and well-recognized brands
• State of the art technology including interactive whiteboards and computers in each classroom
• Well-balanced and nutritious daily menus designed by specialized dietitians
• The involvement of several LAU community members in daily activities and projects
• A close communication between families and the ECC staff