University Child Development Center
Encyclopedia
The University Child Development Center (UCDC) at the University of Pittsburgh
is a child care and early childhood education center located on Clyde Street in Shadyside
just east of the main Oakland
campus approximately one half mile from the center of campus at the Cathedral of Learning
and adjacent to the rear property of the University's Chancellor's Residence
on the Oakland-Shadyside border in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
.
The University acquired the building, the former First Church of Christ, Scientist
, in the fall of 1992 for $1.015 million. In 1994, the Pitt proceeded with a $2 million renovation of the building to accommodate the UCDC which opened its doors in the facility on May 30, 1995 after having previously been located in Bellefield Hall
.
The neo-classical
-style building was designed by Solon Spencer Beman
and built between 1904 and 1905. In 1977 it had been designated a local historic landmark by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation
,
The University Child Development Center serves as a near-site child care and early childhood education center for children ranging in age from six weeks through six years who belong to the faculty, staff, and students of the University of Pittsburgh. The UCDC also provides laboratory, research, and practicum experiences in observing and participating with young children in classroom-based settings, for Pitt students, and students from other institutions of higher learning. The UCDC also provides resources and technical assistance in implementing appropriate programs and practices that serve young children in Pittsburgh and other communities.
The UCDC facility houses twelve classrooms including three infant rooms, four toddler rooms, two three-year-old preschool rooms, and one kindergarten
classroom. Each room is designed to be age-appropriate for the group occupying the space. The UCDC also includes two large motor rooms (one for infants and toddlers and the other for preschool and kindergarten children) and an outdoor playground facility.
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
is a child care and early childhood education center located on Clyde Street in Shadyside
Shadyside (Pittsburgh)
Shadyside is a neighborhood in the East End of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It has zip codes of both 15232 and 15206, and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by the council member for District 8...
just east of the main Oakland
Oakland (Pittsburgh)
Oakland is the academic, cultural, and healthcare center of Pittsburgh and is Pennsylvania's third largest "Downtown". Only Center City Philadelphia and Downtown Pittsburgh can claim more economic and social activity than Oakland...
campus approximately one half mile from the center of campus at the Cathedral of Learning
Cathedral of Learning
The Cathedral of Learning, a Pittsburgh landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is the centerpiece of the University of Pittsburgh's main campus in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States...
and adjacent to the rear property of the University's Chancellor's Residence
Chancellor's Residence (University of Pittsburgh)
The Chancellor's Residence at the University of Pittsburgh is a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark in Shadyside just east of the main Oakland campus approximately one half mile from the center of campus at the Cathedral of Learning and adjacent to the rear property of the...
on the Oakland-Shadyside border in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
.
The University acquired the building, the former First Church of Christ, Scientist
First Church of Christ, Scientist (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
The former First Church of Christ, Scientist is an historic Christian Science church building located at 635 Clyde Street, in the Shadyside section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania United States...
, in the fall of 1992 for $1.015 million. In 1994, the Pitt proceeded with a $2 million renovation of the building to accommodate the UCDC which opened its doors in the facility on May 30, 1995 after having previously been located in Bellefield Hall
Bellefield Hall
Bellefield Hall is a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark and is a contributing property to the Schenley Farms Historic District on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh across Bellefield Avenue from Heinz Memorial Chapel and the lawn of the university's Cathedral of...
.
The neo-classical
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
-style building was designed by Solon Spencer Beman
Solon Spencer Beman
Solon Spencer Beman was an American architect who was based in Chicago, best known as the architect of the planned Pullman community and adjacent Pullman Company factory complex. Several of his other largest commissions, including the Pullman Office Building, Pabst Building, and Grand Central...
and built between 1904 and 1905. In 1977 it had been designated a local historic landmark by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation
Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation
The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 to support the preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA....
,
The University Child Development Center serves as a near-site child care and early childhood education center for children ranging in age from six weeks through six years who belong to the faculty, staff, and students of the University of Pittsburgh. The UCDC also provides laboratory, research, and practicum experiences in observing and participating with young children in classroom-based settings, for Pitt students, and students from other institutions of higher learning. The UCDC also provides resources and technical assistance in implementing appropriate programs and practices that serve young children in Pittsburgh and other communities.
The UCDC facility houses twelve classrooms including three infant rooms, four toddler rooms, two three-year-old preschool rooms, and one kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
classroom. Each room is designed to be age-appropriate for the group occupying the space. The UCDC also includes two large motor rooms (one for infants and toddlers and the other for preschool and kindergarten children) and an outdoor playground facility.
Gallery