The U. S. Commissioner of Education proposes a new role for the neighborhood elementary school as a comprehensive child development center as well as an institution of learning. The neighborhood elementary schools should become the means of delivery of comprehensive child development services to the home and neighborhood for four reasons: (1) the neighborhood school is situated in a strategic location where services can be easily dispensed to the homes; (2) the neighborhood school can provide public health services without costly duplication of facilities and personnel; (3) the neighborhood school can provide social and rehabilitative services offered by State and Federal assistance programs; and (4) the neighborhood school can also function as a center for early childhood education services. Those individuals or boards who have the control of the schools should take the initiative to redefine the role and expand the mission of the neighborhood elementary school as a child development center. The major thrust of the States in the field of early childhood development should be to the home through the school districts' neighborhood elementary schools. (CS)