The Program
The Center for Early Childhood Education at Fort Hill offers full- and part-time early education and child care in Northampton for children infancy through preschool. The program serves about 80 children in seven classrooms.
Fort Hill is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, year-round. The annual academic calendar notes the dates the center is closed for professional activities and holidays.
The early childhood program at Fort Hill serves as a laboratory for Smith College. Students and faculty conduct research and observations and complete field work at the site. Students also work in the classrooms through the college’s work-study program.
The program helps to meet the child care needs of Smith College employees. Benefited employees are eligible for tuition grants through the Office of Human Resources.
A 10-week summer program is available to children enrolled for an academic-year.
Programs
2024–25 Academic-Year (40 weeks)
Infant* |
Toddler** |
Preschool*** |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Maximum Class Size (1) |
7 |
9 |
20 |
Child: Teacher Ratio (1) |
3:1 |
4:1 |
10:1 |
Schedule Options |
3, 4 or 5 days (2) |
3, 4 or 5 days (2) |
3, 4 or 5 days (2) |
Program Opens |
8 a.m. |
8 a.m. |
8 a.m. |
Departure Options (3) |
2:45 p.m.; 4:45 p.m. |
2:45 p.m.; 4:45 p.m. |
12:45 p.m.; 2:45 p.m.; 4:45 p.m. |
Calendar (4) |
August 28–May 31 |
August 28–May 31 |
August 28–May 31 |
* Infant: two months–15 months
** Toddler: 15 months–two years and nine months
*** Preschool: three years old by December 1 to five years old
- These figures are based on Massachusetts State Law; actual class sizes and ratios may be lower
- Part-time schedules are accommodated on a space-available basis
- Departure time must be the same for all days of enrollment; extra time may be purchased on a space available basis
- The program closes according to the holiday schedule of Smith College and closes monthly for professional days
2024–25 Academic Calendar Year
Monday, August 12–Friday, August 16: CECE Closed for Annual Maintenance and Repairs
Monday, August 19–Friday, August 23: CECE Professional Days for Academic Year Preparation*
Monday, August 26–Tuesday, August 27: Preschool Orientation Days**
Monday, August 26–Friday, August 30: First Week of 2023-2024 Academic Year
Monday, August 26–Friday, August 30: Infant-Toddler Phase-In Period***
Thursday, August 29: Welcome Back Picnic
Monday, September 2: Labor Day Holiday – CECE Closed
Thursday, September 5: Parent Night, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Monday, October 14: Smith College Fall Break — CECE Closed
Tuesday, October 15: Professional Day — CECE Closed*
Monday, November 11: Professional Day – CECE Closed*
Wednesday, November 27–Friday, November 29: Thanksgiving Holiday – CECE Closed
Friday, December 20: Professional Day – CECE Closed*
Monday, December 23–Thursday, January 2: Winter Break – CECE Closed
Wednesday, January 1–Thursday, January 2: Winter Break - CECE Closed
Friday, January 3: CECE Reopens with full-day schedule
Friday, January 17: Professional Day – CECE Closed*
Monday, January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday – CECE Closed
TBD: Annual Open House for Current and Prospective Families
Monday, February 17: Professional Day – CECE Closed*
Monday, March 17–Friday, March 21: Smith College March Break
Monday, March 17: Professional Day – CECE Closed*
Tuesday, March 18–Thursday, March 20: Three-day March Program (Enrollment for this program is conducted in January and limited based on staff availability)****
Friday, March 21: CECE Closed
Friday, April 25: Professional Day – CECE Closed*
Friday, May 16: Professional Day – CECE Closed*
Monday, May 26: Memorial Day Holiday – CECE Closed
Friday, May 30: Final day of Academic Year – 11:45 a.m. Dismissal
Friday, May 30: Half-Professional Day – CECE Closed 12 - 4 p.m.*
*The CECE will be closed on professional days. The dates included here are projected dates, and may be adjusted in a final calendar published over the summer.
**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 26 or Tuesday, August 27 as their first day, and the whole class will attend together beginning on Wednesday, August 28. 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 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 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.