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.
What to Know
- Each class is taught by a lead teacher, a graduate assistant teacher, and several fieldwork assistants.
- A member of each family (usually a parent) stays at the Early Childhood Center 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 works hard to make the best decisions for each individual child.
- The teachers and the director are available for conversation and consultation throughout the year. Fall and spring parent-teacher conferences are also formally scheduled.
Class Schedules & Tuition
The Early Childhood Center offers morning classes for 2s-4/5s and a full-day option for 5/6s students. We do not offer pre-school afternoon, extended-day, or early morning programs.
Preschool classes are in session from early September to mid-May while the 5/6s class extends into early June. The ECC follows the Sarah Lawrence College Calendar and is closed during all College breaks.
Listed tuition is for the 2027-2028 academic year.
The ECC offers limited financial aid to qualifying families. Please email the ECC office for more information.
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- Tuesdays/Thursdays
- 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
- $5,355
- Children must turn 2 by December 1 to be eligible
* 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 siblings are not able to attend.
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- Tuesdays/Thursdays
- 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
- $5,615
*3s classes are either two-mornings or three-mornings. There is no 5-mornings option. Some families elect to enroll children in both the 2-morning and 3-morning classes to create a five-morning schedule at the full tuition rate of both classes. Enrollment in this option is limited and at the discretion of the Director. Please email the ECC office to learn more.
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- Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays
- 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
- $6,845
*3s classes are either two-mornings or three-mornings. There is no 5-mornings option. Some families elect to enroll children in both the 2-morning and 3-morning classes to create a five-morning schedule at the full tuition rate of both classes. Enrollment in this option is limited and at the discretion of the Director. Please email the ECC office to learn more.
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- Monday through Friday
- 9:00 - 11:55 a.m.
- $10,150
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- Monday through Friday
- 9:00 – 11:55 a.m.
- $10,150
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Monday through Friday
- 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- $15,170
- Children must turn 5 by December 1 to be eligible
- School year extends into June
* The Early Childhood Center offers a junior kindergarten/bridge component in addition to our existing 5/6's kindergarten class. Through a blend of play-based and structured learning, the program honors children's natural curiosity and creativity and supports children in transitioning smoothly to a more structured Kindergarten environment. To be eligible for this program, children must turn 5 by December 1.
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 Former ECC Parents