Center Applications

The Early Learning Center is currently accepting applications for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers for the 2024-25 academic year. Applications for our waitlist can be submitted throughout the year.

>>> Learn more about our application process.

About the Center

The Early Learning Center was founded in 1981 and has inhabited its present home since 1988. The present facility was designed with input from staff and parents to meet the needs of children and families.

The Center is a unique community composed of varied constituencies: children, parents, teachers, Hampshire College work-study student assistants, Hampshire students, and faculty members who use the center as a laboratory for study. Many visitors come to observe and learn more about the work we do.

We are dedicated to nurturing a community that honors and is enriched by the contributions of all who play, learn, work, teach, study, and visit it.

The Center has the capacity to serve 44 children and their families, with many families who are Hampshire-affiliated. The majority of the other children and families are affiliated with one of the other four colleges in the Five College Consortium. We also welcome families from the local community.

As educators, we have been inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy since 1990, and the schools of Pistoia, Italy since 1998.