Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Pigskin Preschool

Do you love going to Mizzou Football Games,but don’t know what to do with the kids? Bring them to Pigskin Preschool!  Pigskin Preschool is a great place for the kids to go while you enjoy the home football games.  It is open to all families who are attending the Tigers home football games. Children are separated according to their ages. There is Blue Door, which has both infants and toddlers, Yellow Door for Preschoolers (ages 2 1/2 to 5 years), and Red Door for Schoolage children (5 years and up).    What is Pigskin Preschool? Pigskin Preschool offers child-care for children 18 months to 10 years old during Tiger home football games.  It begins 2 hours before kick-off and ends 2 hours after the game. Who will care for the children? Child-Care for Pigskin Preschool is provided by Mizzou students who are supervised by a Graduate Student in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Where is Pigskin Preschool? Pigskin Preschool is located in the Child Development Lab (CDL) in the lower level of Stanley Hall.  The CDL in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in the College of Human Environmental Sciences is a nationally recognized child-care facility.  It is set up for a fun, safe, and educational environment for the children. Map for Stanley Hall. How much does it cost? The cost is $60 for a child younger than 2 ½ and $50 for a child older than 2 ½.  Each sibling is an additional $40. Make reservations and pay for the entire season and get one game free. (Proceeds provide scholarships for Graduate students in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.)    Whom to contact for more information? Call 573.884.6131 or email Mizzoupigskin@yahoo.com for additional information or to make reservations.  You may reserve a spot for one game or the entire season.

Blue Door is for infants and toddlers younger than 2 1/2. This room is usually the first to fill up. We have room for 6 infants and 8 toddlers. Infants are considered to be children under the age of 1 year, but we often place children according to their mobility and size. So, a child may be over a year old, but if they are not walking yet, we may put them on the infant's side.

Infants and toddlers are divided by a half wall.

On the infant's side, the schedule is determined by the infants. We realize each child may have their own schedule, and so we keep our infant to teacher ratio low in order to accommodate the needs of the infants.

We have cribs, playpens, bouncy seats, and numerous age appropriate toys that encourage development in infants. In the space where the infants play and crawl, there are mats on the floor and teachers wear booties to ensure that the area is kept clean.

We also have a small refrigerator in blue door, and a microwave, in case parents bring food that needs to be refrigerated or heated prior to eating.

On the toddler's side of the room, there are numerous toys and books that encourage development in toddlers. Toddlers can also enjoy a toddler sized playground that includes balls, a sandbox, and a "Kangaroo Climber" (weather permitting).

During mealtimes, we have small tables and chairs that are just the right size for children to sit at the table, and we have limited space in the refrigerator on the infant's side of the room. If possible, we encourage parents to bring food in a small lunchbox with a cooling pack, or something that does not need to be refrigerated.

Toddlers have a nap time after lunch. We have small cots, and sheets are provided. We encourage parents to bring a favorite toy or blanket since this often helps during nap time.

Yellow Door is for children ages 2 1/2 years to 5 years. We have room for 10 toddlers. Children in yellow door often draw, color and play with age-appropriat toys and also have time on our playground (weather permitting).

There is also quiet time in Yellow Door, so younger children have a chance to nap. Cots and sheets are provided.

We plan our schedule and activities around game time, so activities may depend on game time, weather and the age of children in the room since this can vary from game to game.

Red Door is for children ages 5 years and older. We have room for 15 school age children. Children in red door often make crafts, play in the "tower," build towers and other various structures. Red door is filled with age appropriate toys and activities to spark the interest of schoolage children. Children in Red Door also have time on our playground (weather permitting).

We do have quiet time in Red Door, so children have a chance to be quiet and nap if they wish. Cots and sheets are provided for children who are interested in laying down (Yes, this does happen sometimes!).

We plan our schedule and activities around the football schedule, so activities may depend on game time and weather.