About the ECC

The Early Childhood Center is accessible from LAU’s lower gate.

The ECC boasts a large and safe playground with materials and equipments that are regularly inspected.

The ECC is housed in one of LAU’s historic landmarks, Shannon Hall, which was inaugurated in 1950.

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