Admission
Eligibility
The Fort Hill Infant and Toddler program enrolls children two months to 32 months of age in three classrooms. To be eligible for the Infant and Toddler program, children must be two months of age.
The Fort Hill Preschool program enrolls children 2.9 to 4.11 years of age in three classrooms. To be eligible for the Preschool program, children must be 3 years of age by December 1.
Campus School of Smith College
For families with older children—kindergarten through grade six—please contact the Campus School of Smith College. The Campus School is the laboratory school for the Department of Education and Child Study at Smith. The school serves children from kindergarten through sixth grade, with two classes at each grade level. The Campus School is located at Gill Hall on the Smith campus.
Admission Process
Please complete and submit the online application form. A $30 non-refundable application fee is required.
If you prefer to pay by check, please contact us at cece@smith.edu to receive a printable copy of the application form.
After submitting the application, please contact the assistant director, Laurie DeMello, at ldemello@smith.edu or call 413-585-3290 to schedule a meeting and a visit to the school.
Applications are accepted from September 1 through February 14th, for the following year. First consideration is given to applications received on or before February 14th. Applications received after February 14th will be considered on a space-available basis.
Admission to the Infant/Toddler and Preschool programs is open to all families. Acceptance priorities are as follows:
- Children of benefited Smith employees with siblings enrolled at the Center for Early Childhood Education (CECE).
- Children of new benefited Smith employees.
- Siblings of community children enrolled at the CECE.
- Children of new community families
- Full-time schedule requests receive priority over part-time requests.
- Specific day requests within a part-time schedule will only be accommodated as space allows.
- Placement of non-Smith families to the Infant/Toddler program does not guarantee placement for a subsequent year in the Infant/Toddler Program.
Parents will be notified in writing of the admission decision. Letters will be sent by April 1. Enrollment materials included with the admission letter must be completed and returned by a specified date. There is a $500 non-refundable deposit for the academic year program and a $200 non-refundable deposit for the summer program, due at the same time as the enrollment agreement.
Reenrollment is determined in February; the placement of a community family will be reviewed only if Smith demands exceed available capacity. Reenrollment priorities are as follows:
- Presently enrolled children of Smith-affiliated families.
- Children of new benefited Smith employees.
- Siblings of community children enrolled at the CECE.
Smith College is committed to maintaining a diverse community in an atmosphere of mutual respect and appreciation of differences. Smith College does not discriminate in its educational and employment policies on the basis of religion, race, color, creed, national/ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or with regard to the bases outlined in the Veterans Readjustment Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. The Smith College Center for Early Childhood Education does not discriminate in providing services to children and their families on the basis of race, religion, cultural heritage, political beliefs, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation or disability. The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, College Hall 31, 413-585-2141.
Contact Center for Early Childhood Education
Fort Hill
28 Lyman Road
Northampton, Massachusetts 01063
Phone: 413-585-3290 Email: cece@smith.edu
Director: Jennifer Godlesky
413-585-4329
jgodlesk@smith.edu
Assistant Director: Laurie DeMello
413-585-4280
ldemello@smith.edu
Office Coordinator: Lori McKenna
413-585-3290
lmckenna@smith.edu