Early Learning Center

The College established its on-campus early learning center in 1986, and in continuance of its original mission, it serves the child care needs of the College’s employees as well as the general community. The center offers infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten prep programs. Hours of operation are generally 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and children can attend full time or part-time throughout the year.

Click here to find out more information regarding the Center, the curriculum, and the staff, and to view parent information and FAQs

 

Call the center director at (610) 438-8500 to inquire about programming, space availability, or to schedule a tour of the center.

Bright Horizons headquartered in Newton, MA, manages the staffing and daily operations of the center. Bright Horizons is a leader in developing and operating employer-related early learning centers in more than 40 U.S. states as well as several international locations. It manages centers for colleges and universities, governmental agencies, businesses, and nonprofit hospitals, in addition to operating elder care programs.

The center’s current configured capacity is approximately 70 children.  Although the room configurations may change based on demand.

• All children are welcome to enroll regardless of whether their families are affiliated with Lafayette College. Children of families affiliated with Lafayette, however, are given enrollment priority when filling vacancies at the center.
• Enrollment contract options include full‐time and part‐week attendance (subject to availability). Drop-in care is also available for pre-registered children if available.

Infants (6 weeks–12 months)	8 spaces	1:4 staff-to-child ratio
Young Toddlers (13–24 months)	20 spaces	1:5 staff-to-child ratio
Older Toddlers (25–35 months)	12 spaces	1:6 staff-to-child ratio
Preschool (3–5 years old)	20 spaces	1:10 staff-to-child ratio
Kindergarten Prep	10 spaces	1:10 staff-to-child ratio

• LCELC’s curriculum is designed to support standards set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) providing developmentally appropriate opportunities for growth through an integrated approach involving interest centers and thematic units of study. There are many opportunities for hands‐on, active exploration and interaction with adults, other children, and materials. The staff provides activities that are age‐appropriate and meet each child’s individual developmental needs. The center is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW), Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and is a designated Keystone 4 Center in Pennsylvania.

Tuition

The College provides support to the center, allowing employees of Lafayette to enjoy discounted rates for enrolled children/dependents. Tuition rates are adjusted annually.

Costs include breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack daily for all but infants. Parents of infants must provide their child’s food. Meals are cooked fresh on campus by Dining Services provider Bon Appetit and delivered to the center each day. All milk served to the children is organic.