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Little Govs
Child Learning Center

Children playing

At the APSU Little Govs Child Learning Center, we believe that a child’s work is PLAY! Children are exposed to a variety of meaningful daily learning experiences that develop children’s intellectual, creative, physical, emotional and social capabilities. Activities are age and developmentally appropriate, promote hands-on and foster a love of learning.

At the APSU Little Govs Child Learning Center, we believe that a child’s work is PLAY! Children are exposed to a variety of meaningful daily learning experiences that develop children’s intellectual, creative, physical, emotional and social capabilities. Activities are age and developmentally appropriate, promote hands-on and foster a love of learning.

At the APSU Little Govs Child Learning Center, we believe that a child’s work is PLAY! Children are exposed to a variety of meaningful daily learning experiences that develop children’s intellectual, creative, physical, emotional and social capabilities. Activities are age and developmentally appropriate, promote hands-on and foster a love of learning.

Play is Paramount at the Austin Peay Little Govs Child Learning Center.

We believe children learn best through play. Play is the avenue through which children learn to reason, develop language, gain social skills and naturally learn to deal with the world around them. We feel our role is to provide children with the opportunity to play and grow as individuals. With our excellent teacher to child ratio, families can trust that their children will receive the individualized attention they need during this developmental stage in life.

2:14
Three-year olds teacher to child ratio
2:16
Four year olds teacher to child ratio
★★★
Star Rating - Hightest center ranking possible

Santa Visits the Little Govs 2023

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Little Govs Playground


About us

We offer a comprehensive, natural curriculum forged around the idea that a child's work is play. Our staff are fully-trained, with multiple degrees, certifications, and recognitions required for employment. Our mission is to ensure your child has a safe place to learn about the world around them, and every day we look forward to making that a reality.

Staff and kids playing outside

 

The Austin Peay State University Little Govs Child Learning Center serves children of APSU students, alumni, staff and faculty as well as children in the community. Our goal is to maintain the highest level of childcare in a loving environment for our children and families.

The Little Govs Child Learning Center enhances the growth, development and performance of APSU students and other parents by maintaining a campus children's center whose primary objective is to promote the continuous well-being of the children and adults it serves through programs and services that meet their social, emotional, and cognitive needs.

The APSU Little Govs Child Learning Center is licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and has earned the highest rating with three stars. The highest ratings have been earned in the following areas: Director Qualification, Professional Developmental Learning, Parent/Family Engagement, Ratio and Group Size, Staff Compensation, Program Assessment and Child Health Well-Being.

The APSU Little Govs teaching staff is fueled with passion for the early childhood profession and are led with knowledge, experience, enthusiasm, values and vision. We build cohesive teams by valuing each teacher’s strengths and contributions within the program. Our teachers are excellent educators, that are highly trained to create a high-quality program, by providing a safe and healthy learning environment for young children.

APSU Little Govs teaching staff have earned a national recognition through the Council for Professional Recognition, holding a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), Technical Early Childhood Teaching Certificate and/or degrees in Early Childhood Education (ECED).

Additionally, all staff hold certificates in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA), Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards (TNELDS), Shaken Baby Syndrome, Gold Sneaker, Social and Emotional Development, Inclusion for Children with Disabilities, Language and Literacy Development and CPR and First Aid.

Read more about our wonderful staff

The APSU Little Govs Child Learning Center is licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and has earned the highest rating with three stars. The highest ratings have been earned in each of the the following areas:

Director Qualification, Professional Development, Developmental Learning, Parent/Family Engagement, Ratio and Group Size, Staff Compensation, Program Assessment and Child Health Well-Being.

The Little Govs Child Learning Center has also earned the Gold Sneaker Award, a recognition to promote health and wellness for young children. The Gold Sneaker Initiative enhances the center’s policies related to physical activity, healthy eating, and tobacco- free environment.

Children play in the outdoor area


The Little Govs Child Learning Center has a very unique outdoor play space that invites nature back into the play yard. Our space is filled with natural materials, art, hills, pathways, trees, herbs, open areas, sand, water, music, swings, hammocks, and garden areas. This is a place that children can create childhood memories and find places to run, climb, dig, pretend, and hide. The natural playscape areas encourage active play as well as silent play. Children are encouraged to jump in puddles and play in the mud, they can explore, discover and learn about the outdoors and world around them. Natural playscapes stimulate the child’s imagination and creativity while promoting physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development.

Little Gov child poses for photo

 

We host multiple events throughout the year that help us accomplish our mission of Learning through Play. From our Fall Pumpkin Patch and Hayrides to Scholastic Bookfairs and St. Jude Trikathon, there's always an event for your family to participate in, at the Little Govs CLC. 


Yearly events:

  • Pumpkin patch
  • Hayrides
  • Fall Festival
  • St. Jude Trikathon
  • Scholastic Bookfairs
  • Spring Fun with Easter Egg Hunt
  • Yoga Fun

Child running around in rubber boots

 

Family participation and communication is invited, encouraged, and appreciated! It is vital to our success in helping children grow, develop and learn. We strive to form a cohesive partnership with families in the care and education of their children.

Read more about being involved with your child's learning

Little Gov child poses for photo

 

We offer competitive tuition rates for children ages three and four years of age, with discounts given for siblings. We offer childcare for your schedule, with multiple different plans from daily childcare, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, Tuesday/Thursday, and Monday through Friday as well. We also host fall and spring registrations.

Read more about our rates


 

Kaytah Mejiah

As one of our children will be phasing out of Little Govs next semester, we will have our youngest child starting here. To say that APSU Little Govs Child Learning Center is a part of our family is quite an understatement. As a military and veteran family, we are thankful to have included Little Govs into our village. Our son absolutely loves attending, and has flourished under their child-led, play-centered approach. They have allowed for hiscuriosity to grow, while learning academically at the same time. The facility is always well-kept and faculty are interactive. The director, educators and providers have always emphasized diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility for the children and families. Lastly, we enjoy the many family-related events and activities they plan each and every month. The opportunities for children's growth are endless at the APSU Little Govs CLC!

Dr. Ibukan Amusan

The first day we came to inquire about the Little Govs Child Learning Center, and had a tour of the facility, we fell in love with the place and knew this was a place where our son would love and thrive. We were right. He absolutely loves it! He loves to play outside and looks forward every day to going to school. The staff are amazing. They love the kids and take good care of them. We highly recommend this place to parents looking for a preschool for their kids.

Krystal Burgard

The Little Govs Child Learning Center at APSU has been an enriching and milestone reaching experience for our children and our family. We have three boys who attended once they turned two. Our oldest is now 9 years old, our middle is 6 years old, and our youngest is 3 years old. The spectrum of skills learned by attending APSU Little Govs ranges from social-emotional skills, individual responsibility, confidence, creativity, resilience, and healthy emotional regulation. These skills tie into their academic learning in their final year at the center before heading off to kindergarten. During each of ourchildren's years at the Little Govs, they met and exceeded their milestones with the help of faculty and staff, who are a wealth of knowledge and bring many alternatives to aid parenting and family life.