I FOUND THE PANOPTICON

Schoenbaum Family Center at Weinland Park

Innovation in learning and living

At the Schoenbaum Family Center at Weinland Park, the education of young children is based on a combination of caring relationships and the best in early childhood research. Located in Columbus' Weinland Park neighborhood, the center opened to families in autumn 2007.

The Ohio State University collaborates with Columbus City Schools and with the Child Development Council of Franklin County Headstart/Early Head Start to serve a culturally and economically diverse community of children ages birth to five and their families. The unique A. Sophie Rogers Laboratory School, which is within the Schoenbaum Center, overlooks the park and is co-located with the Weinland Park Elementary School, providing opportunities for collaboration across programs as well as sites for teacher training and research.

Among the first in the nation

In 1924, Ohio State was one of the first universities in the country to establish an early childhood laboratory school. Now we're among the first again, perhaps the first to collaborate with public and private partners to build our university child development laboratory in a neighborhood of documented need. Through research, innovative approaches, and best practices, we address the special issues facing families in this and similar neighborhoods worldwide.

Our cutting-edge facility draws enthusiastic partners, faculty, and students

Everyone wins when involved with the best. The Schoenbaum Family Center is a magnet attracting high-achieving students, community professionals eager to learn, and distinguished faculty to our college. Scholars consider our child population of mixed socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, ideal for child development and education as well as for research.

Partners like you made it possible

Today, the 47,840 square foot, cutting-edge center serves 88 children and their families. The center is the cornerstone of the college's partnership with the neighborhood. Our goal is to enhance early childhood education and family well-being as a stimulant to community success. We're improving a community starting with the children.

The partnership approach has yielded many benefits, including a shared site with Columbus City Schools' Weinland Park Elementary School to ensure children's success from birth through grade five. More than 20 partners -- agencies and other Ohio State colleges -- provide support services for families.

In 2007, the university won the Magrath/Kellogg Foundation Award for Best Outreach Project in the North Central Region. The award recognizes the new model of public and private partners who are making rapid change to improve the lives of children and youth. The combined Weinland Park effort continues to gain national recognition.

Unique features of the innovative center

• 7 Multi-age classrooms, which include:
  • 3 infant/toddler rooms - each with 8 children ages 6 weeks to 3 years old
  • 4 preschool rooms - each with 16 children ages 3 to 5 years old
• All classrooms have 2 co-lead teachers and an assistant teacher
• Full-day, year round program open Monday through Friday 7 am to 6 pm
• Graduate and undergraduate Ohio State students gaining experience in child development and education in the classrooms under the mentorship of the expert lead teachers
• A nature courtyard at the heart of the center links to the outside via side courtyards that form a ribbon of green space through the building. The space allows children to interact and stay in touch with the natural environment and the community.
• The Proctor and Gamble Town Square for school and community gatherings.
• The Columbus Foundation Observation Gallery overlooks all classrooms and studio spaces so parents, university students, researchers, and visitors can unobtrusively view teachers and children engaged in model practices in early childhood education and care.
• The Elmer's Art Studio offers opportunities for children to explore and represent their many ideas and thoughts using an array of materials, from art supplies to natural and recycled materials.
• A commercial quality kitchen includes educational space where children and families are learning about healthy nutrition, food safety, and the health effects of nutritional choices. The kitchen staff prepares a fresh morning breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack each day.
• Large spaces dedicated to OSU faculty pursuing research in early childhood education and related fields.
• Family advocacy office providing assistance to families
• The JP Morgan Chase library and part-time librarian from Columbus Metropolitan Libraries providing story times and book collections for the classrooms and teachers.
• A registered nurse provided through Columbus City Schools and wellness suite on site.

Our Staff

The A. Sophie Rogers Laboratory for Child and Family Studies at the Schoenbaum Family Center staff is made up of highly trained personnel with graduate degrees in human development and family science and early childhood education. The Director of the program as well as several of the teachers have Master's degrees in early childhood education. In addition to daily curriculum planning and implementation plus child assessment and documentation, the teachers at the Schoenbaum Family Center provide trainings and presentations to other professionals and families in Ohio and across the country.

Howard Goldstein, Ph.D.
The Ohio State University
Research Director

Michele Sanderson, M.S.
The Ohio State University
Program Director

Anneliese Johnson, M.S.
The Ohio State University
Preschool Program Coordinator

For enrollment information, please contact our Family Advocate at 614-247-7007.

Licensing

The A. Sophie Rogers Laboratory for Child and Family Studies is licensed by the State of Ohio's Child Day Care Licensing Department. A copy of the licensing guidelines are available for your review.

General Contact Information

The Schoenbaum Family Center at Weinland Park
175 E. 7th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43201
614-247-7488