The Early Childhood Center (ECC) was founded on the ideals of progressive education, which is based on the centrality of direct experience in learning; the view of the child as the center of the educational experience; and the making of meaning and construction of knowledge through experience and reflection, as both the goal and the means of education.
Class Structure
- Each class is taught by a lead teacher, a graduate assistant teacher, and several student assistants.
- The teachers and the Director are available for conversation and consultation throughout the year. Fall and spring parent-teacher conferences are also formally scheduled.
- A member of each family (usually a parent) stays at the ECC when the child first attends school, leaving gradually when parent and teacher decide the time has come for separation. The ECC recognizes that separation is difficult and work hard to make the best decisions for each individual child.
Class Schedules & Tuition
The ECC offers morning classes from 2s-4/5s and a full day option for 5/6s students. Preschool classes are in session from early September to mid-May, in accordance with the College calendar. The Five/Sixes class extends into early June. The ECC is closed during College breaks.
Please note that we do not offer extended day or afternoon programs for our preschool students.
Limited financial aid is available. To learn more, please reach out to our office.
*tuition rates are for the current academic year and do not reflect an annual increase, typically 2-5%.
Twos and Parents Program
The Twos and Parent Program is designed, in part, to facilitate a child's separation from the parent and builds gradually to two hours, twice a week. A parent's attendance is required with the child for the entire school year; caregivers cannot attend in place of the parent. Parents begin in the classroom and gradually transition into an adjoining room, where parenting discussions occur, often facilitated by the lead teacher. Regretfully, infant siblings cannot accompany the parent.
- Tuesdays/Thursdays
- 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
- $4888
- Children must turn 2 by December 1 to be eligible
Threes Morning Class (Two Days)
- Tuesdays/Thursdays
- 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
- $4992
Threes Morning Class (Three Days)
- Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays
- 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
- $6084
Threes Morning Class (Five Days)
- Monday through Friday
- 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Fours Morning Class
- Monday through Friday
- 9:00 - 11:55 a.m.
- $9022
Fours/Fives Morning Class
- Monday through Friday
- 9:00 – 11:55 a.m.
- $9022
Fives/Sixes + Junior K/Bridge Class
Monday through Friday
- 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- $13,104
- Children must turn 5 by December 1 to be eligible
- School year extends into June
“It's truly amazing to see his face light up with excitement and pride at the mention of his school. In addition to providing a beautiful space for children to discover and learn, the ECC allows children to be fearless in their quest for knowledge. We feel very lucky and proud to be a part of the ECC community of friends.” —Eira and Gino Flores, ECC Parents