Calendar, Schedule & Tuition
Annual Calendars
- The infant/toddler and preschool programs begin on August 25, 2025 with an orientation program. Home visits are scheduled on August 20, 21, and 22.
- The academic-year calendar ends at noon on May 30, 2025.
- The program closes monthly for professional activities and follows the Smith College administrative calendar for holiday and inclement weather closings. The program typically closes for the March break; an optional three-day program may be offered on the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the break.
- Enrollment for summer of 2025 and academic year 2025–26 will begin in February 2025.
August
| Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Monday, August 11–Friday, August 15 | CECE closed for annual maintenance and repairs |
| Monday, August 18–Friday, August 22 | CECE professional days for academic year preparation* |
| Monday, August 25–Friday, August 29 | First week of 2025–26 academic year |
| Monday, August 25 and Tuesday, August 26 | Preschool orientation days** |
| Monday, August 25–Friday, August 29 | Infant-toddler phase-in period*** |
| Thursday, August 28 | Family Welcome Picnic, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. on playground |
September
| Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Monday, September 1 | Labor Day; CECE closed |
| Thursday, September 18 | Parent Night, 4:30–5:30 p.m. |
October
| Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Monday, October 13 | Smith College Fall Break; CECE closed |
| Tuesday, October 14 | Professional day; CECE closed* |
November
| Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, November 11 | Professional day; CECE closed* |
| Wednesday, November 26–Friday, November 28 | Thanksgiving holiday; CECE closed |
December
| Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Friday, December 19 | Professional day; CECE closed* |
| Monday, December 23–Friday, January 2 | Winter Break; CECE closed |
January
| Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Thursday, January 1 and Friday, January 2 | Winter Break; CECE closed |
| Monday, January 5 | CECE reopens will full-day schedule |
| Friday, January 16 | Professional day; CECE closed* |
| Monday, January 19 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; CECE closed |
| TBD | Annual Open House for current and prospective families |
February
| Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Monday, February 16 | Professional day; CECE closed* |
March
| Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Monday, March 16–Friday, March 20 | Smith College March Break |
| Monday, March 16 | Professional day; CECE closed* |
| Tuesday, March 17–Thursday, March 19 | Three-day March Program**** |
| Friday, March 20 | CECE closed |
April
| Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Thursday, April 23 | Professional day; CECE closed* |
May
| Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|
| TBD | 11:45 Dismissal; Half professional day and College Employee Picnic |
| Friday, May 15 | Professional day; CECE closed |
| Monday, May 25 | Memorial Day Holiday; CECE closed |
| Friday, May 29 | Final day of academic year; 11:45 dismissal Half-professional day; CECE closed noon–4 p.m. |
*The CECE will be closed on professional days.
**Preschool Orientation Days: Preschool children begin the new year by attending for one day with only half of their class. Children will be assigned either Monday, August 25th or Tuesday, August 26th as their first day, and the whole class will attend together beginning on Wednesday, August 27th.
***For infant-toddler children who are new to the program or transitioning to a new classroom, we encourage families to consider a phase-in plan for your child that allows them to start with a few shorter days at Fort Hill before building up to a full day in the classroom.
****We anticipate offering enrollment for a limited, three-day program on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of Smith’s March Break. Pending the availability of staff, enrollment for the March Program will take place in January. Tuition for the program is paid separately from academic year tuition and spaces are limited.
****We anticipate offering enrollment for a limited, three-day program on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of March Break. Enrollment for the March program will take place in January. Tuition for the program is paid separately from academic year tuition and spaces are limited.
May
| Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Monday, May 26 | Memorial Day holiday; CECE closed |
| TBD | Possible 11:45 a.m. dismissal for children; half professional day |
| Friday, May 30 | Last day of academic year; 11:45 a.m. dismissal for children |
June
| Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Monday, June 2 | Professional day; CECE closed* |
| TBD | Possible 11:45 a.m. dismissal for children; half professional day |
| Tuesday, June 3 | First day of 2025 summer program |
| Thursday, June 19 | Juneteenth; CECE closed* |
July
| Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4 | Fourth of July; CECE closed |
August
| Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Thursday, August 7 | Last day of summer program (4:45 p.m. dismissal) |
| Friday, August 8 | Professional day; CECE closed* |
| Monday, August 11–Friday, August 15 | CECE closed for annual maintenance and repairs |
| Monday, August 18–Friday, August 22 | CECE professional days for academic year preparation*; Home visits scheduled for new families |
| Monday, August 25 | First day of 2025–26 academic year |
| Monday, August 25 and Tuesday, August 26 | Preschool orientation days** |
| Monday, August 25–Friday, August 29 | Infant-toddler phase-in period*** |
*The CECE is closed for children on professional days.
**Preschool Orientation Days: Preschool children begin the new year by attending for one day with only half of their class. Children will be assigned either Monday, August 25 or Tuesday, August 26 as their first day, and the whole class will attend together beginning on Wednesday, August 27. This schedule will be determined over the summer.
***For infant-toddler children who are new to the program or transitioning to a new classroom, we encourage families to plan for a phase-in period for your child that allows them to start with a few shorter days at Fort Hill before building up to a full day in the classroom.
2024–25 & 2025–26 Academic Year Schedule Options
Infant-Toddler Days |
Time |
|---|---|
3, 4 or 5 days |
8 a.m.–2:45 p.m. |
3, 4 or 5 days |
8 a.m.–4:45 p.m. |
Preschool Days |
Time |
|---|---|
3, 4 or 5 days |
8 a.m.–12:45 p.m. |
3, 4 or 5 days |
8 a.m.–2:45 p.m. |
3, 4 or 5 days |
8 a.m.–4:45 p.m. |
Tuition
Ages for toddlers and preschoolers are calculated as of September 1 and apply to the academic year and the following summer. Infants begin the program at two months of age and pay infant tuition for the entire academic year. If a child is younger than 15 months at the beginning of the summer program, the infant rate applies to the entire summer tuition.
Benefited Smith employees are entitled to a tuition grant. Please contact Human Resources for details.
2025–26 Academic Year Rates
Type |
Times |
5 Days |
4 Days |
3 Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Infant |
8 a.m.–2:45 p.m. |
$25,710 |
$22,620 |
$16,970 |
Infant |
8 a.m.–4:45 p.m. |
$30,240 |
$26,610 |
$19,960 |
Toddler |
8 a.m.–2:45 p.m. |
$23,810 |
$20,950 |
$15,710 |
Toddler |
8 a.m.–4:45 p.m. |
$28,010 |
$24,650 |
$18,480 |
Preschool |
8 a.m.–12:45 p.m. |
$13,130 |
$11,550 |
$8,660 |
Preschool |
8 a.m.–2:45 p.m. |
$18,595 |
$16,360 |
$12,270 |
Preschool |
8 a.m.–4:45 p.m. |
$21,880 |
$19,250 |
$14,440 |