The early childhood education program at Massachusetts' Middlesex Community College has included a service learning component for the past 3 years. Service learning participants have the opportunity to observe several different public and private early care and education programs in the community and to discuss the programs with other students. Participants are also asked to maintain journals which are shared with the instructor and, if students desire, with other students. The journals involve the following four phases of reflection: (1) concrete experience, or a description of specific behaviors which occurred during an incident; (2) reflective observation, or personal thoughts, feelings, and perceptions about the events; (3) abstract conceptualization, illustrating the relationship between the experience and knowledge learned in the class; and (4) active experimentation, in which students apply learning to situations that they might encounter in the future. Students who choose to participate in service learning are excused from two assignments and their research papers are designed around their service learning placement. Although integrating service learning involves extra work and can mean sacrificing some valuable class time, it is well worth the effort as it gives students the opportunity to network, experience, and observe professional actively involved with children. (BCY)