YLS Early Learning Center Receives Gift in Honor of Professor Ayres

The Early Learning Center (ELC) at Yale Law School has received a generous donation from Jennifer Brown in honor of Oscar M. Ruebhausen Professor of Law Ian Ayres ’86 to help strengthen and sustain the beloved childcare center.

“I am truly delighted to establish this fund for the support of the Early Learning Center, which has made such a positive difference for our family and in the lives of so many children and their families over the years,” said Brown, the longtime dean of the Quinnipiac University School of Law and a former Senior Research Scholar in Law and Visiting Lecturer in Law at the Law School.

“It is fitting that a gift to honor Ian would support early childhood education because they have always cared deeply about the ways very young children are nurtured and cared for,” said Brown.

Brown and Ayres, who sent their two daughters to the ELC, are grateful for the level of care and attention that the center provided for their children while they were working. They hope to extend the same privilege to other families through Brown’s gift.

“Ian and I both appreciate the important role that quality care for very young children can play in people’s early careers,” Brown said. “Often, the responsibility for very young children falls on employees when they are relatively junior in their organizations, and without reliable, loving, high-quality care for their babies and toddlers, it can be difficult for people to contribute to their employers and develop as they need to professionally.”

Founded in 1987, the ELC offers hands-on, year-round care for children up to three years old whose parents are affiliated with Yale Law School and is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

“The care very young children receive — especially in rich, warm, and stimulating educational environments — can impact them for years to come,” Brown continued. “Yet, few of us think of our kids’ early childhood education and care as a fitting object of our philanthropy, especially since we’re more likely to hear from secondary schools and colleges when it is time to write donation checks.”

“This gift recognizes and supports the critical service that we provide,” said Amanda Mioline, the ELC’s director. “The ELC promotes children’s healthy development, and it allows members of the Law School community to balance the demands of family and work.”

“We are so grateful to Jennifer for her generous gift to support the Early Learning Center, which is a critical part of the Yale Law School community,” said Doug NeJaime, the Yale Law School Anne Urowsky Professor of Law and Board Chair of the ELC. “These funds will support the ELC’s core mission, sustain the invaluable work of the ELC’s staff, and improve access to high-quality early childhood education.”

“Ian is a remarkable scholar, and I am incredibly lucky that he was at my side, serving as deputy dean, as we dealt with the challenging COVID years,” said Dean Heather K. Gerken. “It gives me such joy to see him honored in this way.”