The University of Missouri’s Child Development Lab (CDL) celebrated the grand reopening of its newly renovated facility and is the first in the state to receive a Quality Assurance Recognition from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Childhood. The event brought together university leaders, state partners, faculty, staff, and families to honor more than a century of excellence in early childhood education, research, and community service. 

Kui Xie, Dean and Joanne H. Hook Dean’s Chair in Educational Renewal, emphasized the CDL’s role as a living laboratory that connects research, teaching, and service.

“Lab schools like the CDL hold a unique and powerful role in our education system,” Xie said.  “They are living classrooms—places where research and practice meet in service of children. It’s this blend of discovery, teaching, and care that makes a lab school such a vital part of our college, the university, and the community.” 

Matthew Martens, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, highlighted the CDL as a model for experiential learning at Mizzou.

“The Child Development Lab showcases the Mizzou Method—high-impact, hands-on learning—at its best,” Martens said. “These renovations create a remarkable environment for children and families, while providing Mizzou students and faculty with a place to connect research, teaching, and practice.” 

The Quality Assurance Recognition was presented by Deidre Anderson-Barbee, Assistant Commissioner from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Anderson said the award honored the CDL’s excellence in early childhood education and compliance with state standards. 

“Achieving this designation requires rigorous reflection, intentional practice, and a deep believe that quality is not a one-time goal – it’s a way of doing the work, every single day, and it is continuous.”  

CDL Director Miranda Clines accepted the recognition on behalf of the CDL, expressing gratitude for the support that made the renovation and expansion possible. 

“This project was truly an exercise in community,” Clines said. “We are so grateful to our CDL families, staff, and the University of Missouri for their partnership as we modernized and improved our programming. The renovated spaces allow us to serve more families and train more students in an environment that reflects best practices in early childhood education.” 

The renovated facility includes new accessible observation booths, updated classrooms and a new pre-K room, and a fully accessible playground. Since reopening in September, students from across campus have already logged more than 200 hours of observation at the CDL. 

With the addition of 20 new preschool slots, the CDL continues to expand its reach and impact.  

“The CDL has served Mizzou and the Columbia community for more than 100 years,” said Brenda Lohman, chair of the Department of Human Development and Family Science. “This renovation and recognition renew our commitment to the children who learn here, the students who train here, and the families who depend on us.” 

The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house, where guests toured the renovated classrooms, observation spaces, and outdoor learning areas. The celebration marked not just a milestone for the facility, but a reaffirmation of Mizzou’s mission to lead in early childhood education and research.