Sr. Madonna Marie Cunningham, OSF had big dreams and transformative plans for Our Lady of Angels College, when she became President in 1971. That same year the College began plans to establish an adult education program to encourage “mature women” to attend or return to college. It was during this time that the vision for the Child Development Center (CDC) truly came to life.

To support students with children, Sr. Madonna launched a childcare program for preschool-aged children, housed on the third floor of the main building, Bachmann Hall. The first class of 12 children quickly grew – increasing to 21 children in the spring semester, and by the following fall, reaching nearly 30. Quickly recognizing the growing need for childcare, Sr. Madonna initiated the long and complex process for official licensing for the Center on campus.

Balancing Presidential responsibilities, Sr. Madonna, remained steadfast in her commitment to educating “mature women”. By September 1973, in two short years, a fully licensed, brand-new childcare facility was completed. Designed with inspiration from the NASA laboratories, the new center could accommodate up to 50 children.

The objectives were clear:

1. To provide student mothers the time and freedom to pursue educational goals, to the general benefit of their whole family and to their community.
2. To develop self-confidence and competence, increasing their effectiveness and productivity.
3. To share an educational experience with their child as they traveled to their programs on the same campus.
4. To provide a teaching environment meant to enhance each child’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development.

The original objectives were just the beginning. What Sr. Madonna may not have anticipated was the lasting impact of her vision for generations to come. The CDC has since become a cherished part of the community, creating countless memories for children, parents, and students alike.

Today

Fast forward to today, the CDC remains a fully licensed preschool program for children aged 3 to 5, including children of Neumann University students, staff, faculty, and families from the local community. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021-22, the CDC had served more than 1,200 students since opening in 1971. It serves as a cornerstone of the university’s early childhood education program and community outreach mission and provides hands-on field experience for students under the guidance of the CDC Director, enriching their understanding of child development in a real-world setting.

The Future

In the spring of 2025, Neumann received a $139,956 Parent Pathways grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to expand access to childcare, upgrade CDC facilities, and support student-parent programming during the 2025-26 academic year. This includes scholarships for eligible student-parents for summer camp and academic year childcare, and enhancements aiming to serve 50-100 student-parents.

The Legacy

We hope Sr. Madonna would feel proud to see the incredible success her vision has become. The CDC has made a lasting impact on the lives of countless parents and children who have been fortunate to be part of the CDC family.