Iowa State’s Child Development Laboratory School is among the best in the nation.

The Child Development Laboratory School, within the College of Human Sciences, is among the top 10 in the nation at involving diverse families in early learning, according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Of the 10 programs NAEYC gave the honor to, Iowa State is the only laboratory school.

“This exemplary status reaffirms to families in our community that we are committed to fully engaging them in their children’s learning experiences, which is so critical in the early years,” said Karri Kerns, administrator of the ISU lab school in a news release.

The program received the award after NAEYC investigated the family engagement practices of 24 accredited early childhood education programs.

The family engagement included integration of families’ lives and communities into all aspects of the program, and policies and professional development that support effective family engagement, such as ongoing training in communication skills and cultural competence, according to the NAEYC website.

Lab schools differ from regular schools in that lab schools provide hands-on experience for students in early childhood education or child, adult and family services.

Just like a chemistry major would have a chemistry lab, this is the lab experience for those students, according to the lab website.

While students interact with the children and lead some activities, they are always under the supervision of paid teaching staff.

The Child Development Laboratory School has been in operation since 1924, and offers full-day, year-round programs for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. The programs are sponsored by the College of Human Sciences.

The facility includes four classrooms, the Children’s Library, administrative offices, research rooms, laundry and kitchen.

The school serves as a model early childhood program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, and also provides college students opportunities to work with and observe young children.

Selection into the lab school is by lottery, with priority given to children with special needs and siblings of currently enrolled children.

The lab school has received the highest star rating, a Level 5, from Iowa’s Quality Rating System.

The lab school will be recognized at the National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development gathering, June 6-9, in Phoenix, Ariz.