Coastal Carolina University is launching the Chanticleer Center for Literacy and Early Childhood Education, a program that will include a full-day kindergarten, a classroom that will offer two half-day programs for 3-year-olds, and a classroom with two half-day programs for 4-year-olds. The early childhood lab is scheduled to open the fall semester of 2018, upon the completion of renovations to Kingston Hall, the campus building where the center will be located.

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) and elementary program will also offer an afterschool program from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Children in the lab school will learn Spanish and English in the project-based kindergarten and preschool. These types of programs are offered in other parts of the country, but the CCU initiative will be the first in this region.

Three full-time instructors will be hired for the three classrooms that will have a maximum of 20 children enrolled in each level. In addition, students in CCU's early childhood education program will have the opportunity to be involved in the program, which will offer innovative techniques for educating future teachers. The center will provide options for faculty, staff and students to have their children on campus for education and development.

Graduate students and faculty will have teaching and research opportunities through the program. An outdoor play area will provide a natural setting with trees and shade areas and a four-foot grassy or tiled strip for riding toys.

The facility will have a video system with internet connection for observation and teaching in each classroom. In addition to its usefulness as a teaching tool and safety enhancement, this feature will also allow parents to observe the classes remotely.

CCU Provost Ralph Byington said the lab school is "consistent with CCU's academic mission and its strategic plan for high-quality experiential learning for our students and in support of our faculty, staff and students."

The Chanticleer Literacy Lab (CLL) will also be housed in Kingston Hall. The lab was established on campus in August 2012 as an outreach program for the Spadoni College of Education and serves the community by offering literacy assessments and individualized tutoring for area children in need of specialized help.

"Child development is closely connected to literacy education, and the establishment of a Center that houses both of these areas will be extremely beneficial for the university and regional community. Meeting children's developmental needs, as well as providing opportunities for pre-service teachers' experiential learning and professional opportunities for research and scholarship, is essential for the continued growth of our College of Education." said Edward Jadallah, dean of the College of Education. "This will make CCU a hub for literacy and early child education."

The Horry County Higher Education Commission provided $166,000 seed money for the program.