Lottie W. Thornton Early Childhood Center
High-quality early childhood learning for children ages 3 to 5. A licensed full-year, full-day program serving JSU faculty, staff, students, and the Jackson community.
“Early Learning, Endless Possibilities”
Lottie W. Thornton Early Childhood CenterA high-quality learning environment for young children
The mission of the Lottie W. Thornton Early Childhood Laboratory Center is to provide a high-quality early childhood learning environment that will foster growth, development, and early learning in young children.
The center provides childcare services for faculty, staff, students, and the general community, along with serving as a multi-purpose resource in the area of teacher education. It offers diversified laboratory experiences for undergraduate students in cognitive, psychomotor, and social development of young children.
Proudly bearing the name of a noted educator and former faculty member, Lottie W. Thornton, the early childhood center also supports the curriculum and research efforts of university students in the College of Education and Human Development.
- Center
- Lottie W. Thornton Early Childhood Center
- Ages Served
- 3 through 5 years old
- Hours
- Mon-Fri, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Program
- Full-year, full-day
- Licensing
- Mississippi Department of Health
- Phone
- (601) 979-2396
Honoring Lottie W. Thornton
In Recognition
Lottie W. Thornton
Our center proudly bears the name of a noted educator and former faculty member at Jackson State University. Her legacy of education lives on through the children, families, and JSU students who learn and grow in this center named in her honor.
Building foundations for lifelong learning
Our developmentally appropriate curriculum focuses on five key areas of early childhood growth:
Early literacy — foundational reading, language, and pre-literacy skill development.
Social-emotional development — helping young children build relationships, emotional awareness, and social skills.
Cognitive development — age-appropriate learning experiences supporting intellectual growth.
Psychomotor development — physical and motor skill development through play and structured activities.
Social development — building cooperation, communication, and community within the classroom.
When we're open
Licensed by the Mississippi Department of Health, the Center operates a full-year, full-day program with a primary focus on early literacy and social-emotional development.
Mon – Fri
7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
3 to 5 Years
Application Process: For more information or to request an application, please call (601) 979-2396 or email the Center at earlychildhoodcenter@jsums.org.
A teaching & research resource for JSU education students
Beyond childcare, the Lottie W. Thornton Early Childhood Laboratory Center is a vital teaching and research resource for Jackson State University's College of Education and Human Development.
Explore the Center
Interested in enrolling your child?
Call or email to request an application. We serve faculty, staff, students, and the general community.
Contact the Lottie W. Thornton Early Childhood Center
Jackson State University
Joseph H. Jackson Building
P.O. Box 17066
1400 Lynch Street
Jackson, MS 39217
7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.