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Bombeck Family Learning Center

Providing Care and Education

At the Bombeck Family Learning Center, our main goal is to provide the very best care and educational experiences for infants, toddlers and preschoolers ages 6 weeks to 5 years old by working in partnership with their families as the children grow and develop.

We believe the positive experiences of infants, toddlers and young children are critical to healthy development and establish a foundation from which children can reach their full potential.

Hours and Directions
Enrollment and Waitlist
Fast Facts

Gold Rating

from Ohio's Step Up to Quality Initiative

Accredited Plus

by the National Association for the Education of Young Children
About the Bombeck Family Learning Center

We are affiliated with the University of Dayton School of Education and Health Sciences, and the family spirit that prevails at our Catholic, Marianist university guides us to advocate for young children and their families regardless of cultural, socioeconomic, ethnic or religious background.

UD student working with children at the centerThe Bombeck Family Learning Center serves as the demonstration school for UD students studying early childhood education. This unique partnership allows the Center's children and their families to experience high-quality care and education. Second-year early childhood education majors actively participate in the Center's classrooms during their year-long field practicum, learning the best practices in early childhood education as they prepare to become teachers.

Interested in learning more about the Bombeck Family Learning Center? We'd love to meet with you. We offer tours to parents, colleagues at other early childhood centers, university classes and any other person or organization interested in observing a high-quality program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. You can also read our frequently asked questions or contact us at bombeck@udayton.edu to arrange a visit.

Our Early Childhood Curriculum

Our early childhood program — serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers — is thoughtfully designed to support the whole child through developmentally appropriate experiences rooted in the standards of the State of Ohio and guided by the Science of Reading.

We believe children learn best through safe, nurturing relationships, hands-on exploration and meaningful play. Our curriculum is intentionally structured to build strong foundations in language, literacy, social-emotional development, cognitive skills and physical growth from the very beginning.

  • Infants (6 weeks–18 months): Our infant program focuses on responsive care, attachment and sensory-rich experiences. Teachers build strong, trusting relationships with each child while supporting early communication through cooing, babbling, songs and storytelling. Daily routines such as feeding, diapering and rest are used as opportunities for learning, comfort and connection. Infants are gently introduced to early literacy through talking, reading and listening to language throughout the day.
  • Toddlers (18 months–3 years): Toddlers learn through active exploration, movement and imitation. Our curriculum supports growing independence, language development and social skills through play-based learning centers, music, art and outdoor discovery. Early literacy is woven into daily experiences using oral language development, vocabulary building and interactive read-alouds aligned with the Science of Reading. Teachers guide children in developing early phonological awareness through songs, rhymes and storytelling.
  • Preschool (3–5 years): Our preschool program prepares children for kindergarten success by building strong early literacy, math, science and social-emotional skills. Aligned with the State of Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards, instruction is intentional and engaging while still rooted in play. Guided by the Science of Reading, we focus on foundational skills such as phonemic awareness, print concepts, vocabulary, comprehension and letter-sound relationships through interactive read-alouds and hands-on activities. Children are encouraged to think critically, ask questions and collaborate with peers as they build confidence as emerging readers and writers.

Our approach

We partner with families to support every child’s growth and ensure a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success. Across all age groups, our curriculum emphasizes:

  • Developmentally appropriate, play-based learning.
  • Strong relationships and emotional security.
  • Early literacy instruction aligned with the Science of Reading.
  • Alignment with the State of Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards.
  • Hands-on exploration across all learning domains.
  • Respect for each child’s unique developmental pace.

Indoor and Outdoor Experiential Areas

Indoor Facilities

Our 21,000-square-foot Center features large, open classrooms with an abundance of natural light, which encourages young learners to explore in a safe environment.

The goal is to have each room staffed by a three-teacher team, all of whom are either certified by the Child Development Association or hold a master's, bachelor's or associate's degree in early childhood education.

Children are assigned to classrooms based on many factors, including their age, developmental level and the gender and chronological makeup of the class.

Outdoor Facilities

Our spacious outdoor learning areas include age-appropriate play stations and toys that help children develop gross and fine motor skills, as well as other areas of development. The children also tend a garden each year during the growing season.

Infant/Toddler Classrooms

  • Sunbeams
  • Flyers
  • Gliders
  • Aviators

Preschool Classrooms

  • Explorers
  • Jets
  • Navigators

Tuition Rates

Weekly Tuition Rates

Infant/Toddler Rooms (June 30, 2025, to June 26, 2026)

  • Sunbeams, Flyers, Gliders, Aviators: $393 per week*

Preschool Rooms (June 30, 2025, to June 26, 2026)

  • Explorers, Jets, Navigators: $333 per week*

*Full-time, benefit-eligible UD employees receive a 15% discount.

Additional Care Options (as available)

Additional services are non-transferable between a.m. and p.m. care. A two-week notice is required for removal of before- and after-care services.

Before-school Care

  • 7:30-8 a.m.
  • $13 weekly (non-discountable)

After-school Care

  • 5-5:30 p.m.
  • $13 weekly (non-discountable)

Visit Us/Tours

We off tours to parents, colleagues at other early childhood centers, university classes and any other person or organization interested in observing a high-quality program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

2026 Tour DATES
  • Monday, Aug. 17, 2026 (9:30 a.m.)
  • Monday, Sept. 14, 2026 (9:30 a.m.)
  • Monday, Oct. 12, 2026 (9:30 a.m.)
  • Monday, Nov. 16, 2026 (9:30 a.m.)
  • Monday, Dec. 14, 2026 (9:30 a.m.)

Please email us at bombeck@udayton.edu to inquire about setting up a tour.
Bombeck staff holding a smiling infant Bombeck staff rocking a sleeping baby Toddler painting a picture Staff reading books to a toddler Toddler crawling through a play tunnel Two preschoolers making art at a table Group story time Preschooler digging at a sand table Students learning and playing in preschool classroom Preschoolers playing in classroom Preschoolers on playground equipment Three students in a truck on the playground Bombeck staff holding a smiling infant Bombeck staff rocking a sleeping baby Toddler painting a picture Staff reading books to a toddler Toddler crawling through a play tunnel Two preschoolers making art at a table Group story time Preschooler digging at a sand table Students learning and playing in preschool classroom Preschoolers playing in classroom Preschoolers on playground equipment Three students in a truck on the playground

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

Is the center accredited?

Yes. The Bombeck Family Learning Center is accredited plus by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and holds a gold rating from the State of Ohio's Step Up to Quality rating system.

What age children can attend the center?

The Bombeck Family Learning Center provides care for infants as young as 6 weeks old, and children as old as age 5 (until children start Kindergarten).

Can my child attend part-time?

We only offer full-time spaces for children. You can, however, pay for a full-time spot and have your child attend only part-time.

What are the hours of operation?

The Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Early drop-off and late pick-up is available for an additional fee.

Can I tour the center?

Yes. We offer tours to parents, colleagues at other early childhood centers, university classes, and any other person or organization interested in observing a high-quality program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Contact us at bombeck@udayton.edu to arrange a visit.

Does the center close for any holidays?

Yes. The Center's calendar is aligned with the University of Dayton calendar, and closes for a number of holidays during UD's academic year.

What food does the center provide?
  • 9 a.m.: Breakfast
  • Noon: Lunch
  • 3:15 p.m.: Afternoon snack

All of our food is prepared by our Nutrition team at the Bombeck Center. We adhere to Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) rules and regulations. For infants in our classrooms, we provide Similac Advance formula and Gerber baby food.
Waitlist Information

How can I add my child to the waitlist?

To add a child to the Bombeck Family Learning Center waitlist, complete a waitlist form and return it to the Bombeck Family Learning Center. You may also email your waitlist form to our administrative staff at bombeck@udayton.edu.

What number is my child on the waitlist?

We do not assign numbers to names on the Center's wait list.

When will I know if my child receives a spot at the center?

If and when a space becomes available, someone from the Bombeck Family Learning Center will contact you within six weeks of a spot becoming available. This allows you time to tour the Center, complete required paperwork, meet with your child's teacher, and make any necessary arrangements with your current childcare provider.