The Cyert Center for Early Education — Penn Avenue
To meet the CMU's growing need for exceptional early education, the Cyert Center welcomed its first families to Bakery Square in 2017 with the opening of its Penn Avenue location.
The center launched a second-floor expansion in the summer of 2022 that officially opened for the 2023-24 program year. By adding over 100 new enrollment spots, the project expanded site capacity to 170 children, significantly broadening the center's ability to serve the Carnegie Mellon community.
Structure
Designed around relationship-building and shared discovery, the Penn Avenue facility welcomes children from 12 weeks through 5 years of age across 13 specialized classrooms for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and prekindergarteners.
Building upon Morewood Avenue’s design philosophy, the physical environment connects learning spaces through internal classroom windows and open access to shared play areas, a studio, two kitchenettes, and an outdoor playground. These architectural touches cultivate a dynamic, collaborative atmosphere that supports both individual growth and a vibrant whole-center community.
Professional Team
- 1 co-director
- 1 assistant director
- 2 studio educators
- 6 educational coordinators
- 40+ educators
- 1 billing & accounting assistant
- 1 program & communication coordinator
- 1 head chef, 1 assistant cook, & 1 kitchen assistant
Learn about careers at the Cyert Center.
