Arlitt Center
The University of Cincinnati’s Laboratory School for Early Learning and Development
Educating Children. Developing Professionals. Generating Knowledge. Strengthening the Field.
The Arlitt Center is a university laboratory school serving preschool children and families while advancing early childhood education through practice, professional preparation, research, and community engagement. Grounded in child development, we create rich learning environments where young children learn through play, inquiry, relationships, and meaningful experiences.
As a laboratory school, Arlitt is a community of learners. Children, families, educators, university students, faculty, researchers, and community partners learn with and from one another. Together, we connect theory and practice, generate knowledge, prepare future professionals, and extend our impact beyond our classrooms.
Arlitt at a Glance
More than 100 years of learning, research, and impact.
A longstanding university laboratory school advancing early childhood education.
School of Education
Part of UC’s School of Education, connecting early learning with the university’s academic mission.
Head Start
Expanding access to high-quality early learning and comprehensive support for children and families.
A Learning Community For All
Children and families with varied backgrounds, cultures, languages, abilities, and experiences learn together, enriching our classrooms, research, and broader learning community.
What Makes Arlitt Different?
A University Laboratory School and Community of Learners.
At Arlitt, practice, professional preparation, research, and community engagement are interconnected. Each strengthens the others, creating a continuous cycle of learning, innovation, and impact.
Educate Children
Practice & Early Learning
Provide high-quality early learning experiences grounded in child development, play, inquiry, relationships, belonging, and meaningful participation.
Develop Professionals
Preparation & Professional Learning
Prepare university students and support professionals through authentic experiences, mentorship, reflection, inquiry, and shared learning.
Generate Knowledge
Research & Innovation
Engage in practitioner inquiry, collaborative research, evaluation, and interdisciplinary partnerships that inform practice and advance knowledge.
Strengthen the Field
Partnership, Service & Advocacy
Extend our expertise through professional learning, consultation, community partnerships, advocacy, and initiatives that strengthen early childhood education.
Practice informs research. Research strengthens practice. Students learn alongside professionals. Community partnerships create new questions and possibilities. Together, we learn, improve, and extend our impact.
Find Your Place at Arlitt
Discover a place to learn, play, belong, and grow.
Explore our preschool and Head Start opportunities, approach to early learning, enrollment information, family partnerships, and resources for current families.
Learn alongside children, educators, researchers, and professionals.
Explore practicum and field experiences, observation, research involvement, interdisciplinary learning, employment, and other opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
Connect university expertise with a living laboratory for early learning and development.
Explore opportunities for research, teaching, interdisciplinary collaboration, student learning, innovation, and partnerships supporting children and families.
Work with us to strengthen early childhood education beyond our classrooms.
Connect through professional learning, program evaluation, consultation, collaborative research, advocacy, community initiatives, and other opportunities to advance the field.
Make a Gift
If you would ike to contribute to the Arlitt Center, please follow the link below.