Sarah Lawrence College

The Early Childhood Center

Programs, Schedules & Tuition

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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.
Three children sitting on a wicker bench. The one on the left is eating, the middle one looks at the right, and the one on the right holds a doll.

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 kindergarten students. Preschool classes are in session from early September to mid-May, in accordance with the College calendar. The 5/6s class extends into early June. The ECC is closed during College breaks.

Listed tuition is for the upcoming academic year.

Operating with the belief that all families should have access to a high-quality early childhood education, the ECC does offer limited financial aid to qualifying families. Please email us if you are interested in learning more or would like to submit a financial aid application concurrently with an admissions application.

Please note that we do not offer extended day or afternoon programs for our preschool students.

  • 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. 
    • $5,130
    • Children must turn 2 by December 1 to be eligible

    • Tuesdays/Thursdays
    • 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
    • $5,400

    • Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays
    • 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
    • $6,580

    • Monday through Friday
    • 9:00 - 11:55 a.m.
    • $9,760

    • Monday through Friday
    • 9:00 – 11:55 a.m.
    • $9,760

  • Monday through Friday

    • 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
    • $14,175
    • Children must turn 5 by December 1 to be eligible
    • School year extends into June

    Placement decisions are at the discretion of the Director in consultation with prior teachers.

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