Florida Southern Preschool Lab Evaluation Report

This evaluation report is an overview of the Florida Southern Preschool Lab program and the unique learning opportunity it provides to young children through a centers-based curriculum. The Florida Administrative Code Child Care Standards guides the policy and procedures of early childhood educational programs and provides a framework for the evaluation of this program. Through careful research, access to proprietary documents, in-person interviews, and direct observations, we establish the context for a formative external evaluation. The aim of the evaluation is to aid the Florida Southern Preschool Lab program’s administration in decisions in regard to maintaining the integrity of the existing program when it moves to a new location and doubles

The research component of laboratory schools has been identified as a critical component to the success of such schools (Branscomb & McBride, 2004). The Florida Southern Preschool Lab program contributes to the education and research opportunities for a variety of academic majors such as Education, Psychology, Nursing, and Fine Arts. For example, students enrolled in one education course designed and taught a literacy unit to the preschool children. Psychology students who were learning about children’s cognitive and social development observed the children through a two-way mirror. Additionally, Nursing students gained practical experience by assessing the children’s physical abilities using the Denver Developmental Screening Test. Students from the Department of Fine Arts gained teaching experience while instructing the children in a dance routine focused on gross motor skills. This list is not meant to be exhaustive; rather it serves to illustrate the broad range of educational and research opportunities the Preschool Lab program offers the students at Florida Southern

The indoor area is locked at all times and visitors must ring a doorbell to gain entry from a staff member. The main indoor area is one circular open room with a large support wall in the middle. This space contains all eight centers, a carpeted story time area, several tables for eating, and a dramatic play area. Just off of the main indoor space is the Program Director’s office, observation room, and supply room. The Program Director’s office has one two-way mirror permitting an unobstructed view of half of the main room, including the entrance. The observation room is approximately a 200-sq ft room with two-way mirrors running the length of the wall. It is large enough to hold a small college class. Additionally, small child-only restrooms are available across the hall from the main room. Adults must use different