Observers & Volunteers
The UT Child Development Center welcomes UT student observers and volunteers participating in a course requirement, under the following conditions:
✅ The course instructor must submit a request on behalf of the students. This request must be approved by the Center Director before any placement.
✅ Students must submit a background check form and notarized affidavit at least two weeks prior to placement (forms provided by the center).
✅ Background checks must be cleared before students can enter the classroom.
✅ If the student has lived outside of Texas in the past five years, an FBI fingerprint check is also required.
✅ Only one observer or volunteer is allowed per classroom at a time. Hours must be scheduled with the center in advance.
✅ Observers and volunteers must present a valid, state-issued photo ID upon arrival.
Research
The UT Child Development Center supports research projects when the following conditions are met:
✅ The research has received IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval.
✅ The Center Director has reviewed and approved the research application.
✅ The research is non-disruptive to classroom operations.
✅ Parents have signed a consent form for their child to participate.
✅ Children remain with their classroom and teacher unless otherwise permitted in the signed consent form.
✅ All researchers who will be onsite must submit a background check form and a notarized affidavit at least two weeks before their visit (forms provided by the center).
✅ Background checks must be cleared prior to conducting research with children.
If your research does not meet these conditions, please contact the Program Director to discuss possible alternatives.