KILLEEN, Texas — For 45 years, the Child Development Center and Lab School at Central Texas College has helped young children build early learning skills while giving college students a place to prepare for careers in education and child development.
The center recently marked its 45th anniversary with a celebration attended by current and former staff members, families, students, community members and college leaders. The gathering recognized the program’s longstanding role in supporting families and training future early childhood educators.
For Maria Royster, chair of the Child Development Department, the milestone represented more than the center’s history. It was also an opportunity to recognize the children who have learned there and the students who have discovered their career paths through hands-on experience.
Royster said the program allows college students to work directly with young children and better understand what a career in early childhood education involves.
The center serves two important purposes. It provides child care for eligible children of college students, staff members and community families while also serving as a learning environment for students studying child development, teacher education and related fields.
Children enrolled in the program receive developmentally appropriate learning experiences designed to support their physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth. The center serves children from 6 months through 5 years of age.
For college students, the experience goes beyond classroom lessons. They have opportunities to observe children’s development, interact with young learners and apply what they study in a real educational setting. This practical experience can help them decide whether early childhood education is the right career for them.
The center’s commitment to early learning has also earned recognition beyond the college campus. It holds accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children and a four-star rating from Texas Rising Star, a state quality-rating system for child care programs.
Recent improvements have further strengthened the facility’s learning environment. In May 2025, the center celebrated the opening of two new playgrounds and honored five pre-kindergarten graduates preparing to enter kindergarten. The $174,000 project included new play structures, safety improvements, outdoor musical instruments and an accessible swing.
The program also received statewide recognition in 2026 when it was named a semifinalist for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Award. The recognition highlighted its work in early childhood education, while a $500 award was designated for classroom improvements.
These developments reflect the center’s continuing focus on providing children with opportunities to learn and explore while helping future educators gain practical experience.
As the program looks toward its 50th anniversary, its work remains closely tied to the needs of families and the development of the next generation of educators. For the children who attend, it offers an early
