Child Development Lab

The Child Development Lab (CDL) is a nationally accredited laboratory school serving children 6 weeks to kindergarten age, year-round.

Child Development Lab

Our lab school serves a dual mission. First, to provide quality child care for children of Heartland's students, faculty and staff while their parents pursue an education or work here at the College's Normal campus.


Additionally, our model facility provides an opportunity for college students that need first-hand experience observing or working with young children. Students of various College programs such as education, psychology and nursing send their students to the CDL to complete assignments for their course work. The early childhood students utilize the center for all levels of their program, starting with observation and working toward extended participation and eventually teaching. The Child Development Specialists model what is known about best practices and mentor these students as they gain practical experience in the field.


Observation Process and Application

Faculty and students can request to visit the CDL to complete assignments for course work, observe developmental milestones, or teaching practices.

Step 1:

Faculty or students wishing to utilize the Heartland Community College Child Development Lab as a site for their observation students for their course must read, sign, and submit the following three forms to childlab@heartland.edu.

  1. Heartland Community College Child Development Lab Observation Application (PDF) or Site Visit Observation Application (PDF) .
  2. Heartland Community College Child Development Lab Observation, Participation, and Research Policies and Procedures form (PDF) .
  3. Heartland Community College Confidentiality Statement and Guidelines form (PDF) .

Step 2:

Once you submit the required paperwork, your application will be reviewed and either approved or denied. Application review and scheduling takes one to two weeks.

Please email childlab@heartland.edu or call our Program Assistant at 309-268-8210 with questions.

Meet the Staff

Administration
Portait of Kadi Juris

Kadi Juris

Executive Director, Child Care Supports

Portait of Amanda Vandegraft

Amanda Vandegraft

Associate Director, Child Development Lab

Child Development Specialists
Portait of Erin Ray

Erin Ray

Infant Toddler Specialist

Portait of Jennifer Anderson-Suhre

Jennifer Anderson-Suhre

Infant Toddler Specialist

Portait of Cassie Lovins

Cassie Lovins

Infant Toddler Specialist

Portait of Bobbie Vogel

Bobbie Vogel

Infant Toddler Specialist

Portait of Heather Goergen

Heather Goergen

Infant Toddler Specialist

Portait of LaDaja Reed-Staple

LaDaja Reed-Staple

Infant Toddler Specialist

Portait of Marissa Thoennes

Marissa Thoennes

Infant Toddler Specialist

Portait of Ashley Passfield

Ashley Passfield

Preschool Specialist

Portait of Mickaela Atkins

Mickaela Atkins

Preschool Specialist

Portait of Kathy Nalley

Kathy Nalley

Preschool Specialist

Portait of Melissa Montgomery

Melissa Montgomery

Preschool Specialist

Portait of Gale Twitchell

Gale Twitchell

Roving Child Development Specialist

Support Staff
Portait of Abby Harraden

Abby Harraden

M.Ed., Program Assistant, Child Development Lab

Portait of Jessie Gibson

Jessie Gibson

Nutrition Specialist

Portait of Ashley Dowd

Ashley Dowd

M.Ed., Instructional Coach

Contact Us

Child Development Lab

1500 W. Raab Road
Normal, IL  61761
Phone: 309-268-8210
Fax: 309-268-7965
childlab@heartland.edu

Child Development Staff

Abby Harraden, M.Ed.

Program Assistant,
Child Development Lab
Phone: 309-268-8210
Abby.Harraden@heartland.edu

Child Development Leadership

Amanda Vandegraft, B.A.

Associate Director
Child Development Lab
Phone: 309-268-8208
Amanda.Klemme@heartland.edu 

Kadi Juris, MS.

Executive Director,
Child Care Supports
Phone: 309-268-8216
Kadi.Juris@heartland.edu