Community Observation and Participation

Thank you for your interest in the Associated Students Child Development Laboratory (ASCDL). We welcome your observation of this Title V and state licensed early childhood center. This program consists of administration facilities and four classrooms; one for infants, one for toddlers, and two mixed-aged preschool rooms. In addition, there is an observation room attached to the infant room and to one of the preschool classrooms. Please visit our Website at for a complete description of the ASCDL.

If you would like to make arrangements for yourself or your staff to observe children in this program, please:

• download the application (DOC),
• complete the attached application as a Word document, and
• send the completed application attachment to Cindy Ratekin  (cratekin@csuchico.edu or mail to zip 220)

Along with the completed application, please also attach:

• An agency description
• A description of the objective to be completed at the ASCDL

When your completed application is received, Cindy Ratekin will be in contact with you. If your application receives approval to participate, it will be kept on file with the program should any questions arise.

Before participation can begin for a specific agency, the person requesting observation is responsible for covering information with staff in two areas:

1.  Professional, confidential and ethical behavior within a community setting --- Please refer to the NAEYC code of ethical behavior (PDF) (pdf).

2.  Expectations regarding behavior in the ASCDL facilities --- Please refer to the ASCDL observation guidelines (DOC) and the ASCDL Observation Quiz (DOC) (a copy of the correct quiz responses will be provided to the agency).

If the agency wishes to request direct participation on floor with children, additional requirements for immunization and orientation may apply. Such opportunities may also be limited to a space available basis.

The content contained in the orientation handout can be transferred to staff in multiple ways. You may chose to have staff review the information on their own at the ASCDL web page, download and take the quiz, and turn it in to be reviewed. The content can be the focus of a staff meeting or presentation. The person requesting observation is responsible to ensure that all staff from their agency will be accessing the ASCDL facility have been oriented in both ethical and behavioral expectations.

If you have any questions or would like to make arrangements for ASCDL faculty to orient your staff during scheduled course time, please contact Cindy Ratekin at cratekin@csuchico.edu, 898-5250, zip 220.