Early Learning Center
About the Early Learning Center (ELC)
The Early Learning Center is a high quality on-site early education center for children of enrolled students and employees at Lake Washington Institute of Technology and members of our surrounding community. Research has shown there are numerous benefits of having a campus childcare for students who are also parents. The Center directly supports these students as they work toward meeting their educational goals and provides quality care for all enrolled families.
Our program philosophy is based on the concept that children learn best through play. Our curriculum aims to meet developmental milestones, while maintaining flexibility regarding each individual child’s needs and interests. Activities are carefully planned and implemented in an open classroom setting or outdoor environment. Children are free to choose from age-appropriate activities including art, music, language development, pre-math skills, science and nature, and dramatic play. Children develop self-esteem, independence, and problem-solving skills as they make choices and assist in planning the environment and the activities.
We extend learning to our outdoor space as well. We have two separate, large playgrounds for the Toddler and Preschool Programs; a shaded forest area with a large sand box; walking trails; a garden with low and raised beds for the children to play in and to care for plants; and partnerships with the Culinary Arts and Environmental Horticulture departments with quarterly cooking classes as well as visits to the greenhouse and arboretum.
We provide care for children 18 months - 6 years old. Our classrooms consist of:
- Toddlers (18 months - 2.5 years old)
- Young preschool (2.5 years old - 3.5 years old)
- Preschool (3 years old - 4 years old)
- Pre-kindergarten (4 years old - 5 years old/children turning 5 before August 31)
We offer both full-time and part-time, with flexible payment schedules.
General Information About the ELC
Preventing exposure to COVID-19 is the first line of defense against transmission. Students, children, and staff who have symptoms of COVID-19 are required to stay home and should get tested. All current guidelines and recommendations from the King County Health Department and Center for Disease Control will be followed. Parents will be notified immediately as guidelines change. For the protection of all the children and employees of the ELC, you will need to make alternate childcare arrangements when your child is ill.
To request more information or discuss enrollment please email ELC@lwtech.edu. Either the director or program specialist will respond to you within 24 hours.
Classroom tours and center visits are offered by appointment only.
To register your child for enrollment, you must complete the following steps:
- Contact the center to check availability or be added to a waitlist (if applicable).
- Complete registration packet.
- Provide medically verified immunization record.
- Pay registration fee and emergency supply fee. This is non-refundable and secures your enrollment.
- Complete Quarter contract.
- Read Parent Handbook and return signed parent handbook acknowledgment form.
If utilizing DSHS or other subsidy/grant funding, all approval paperwork and copayment (if applicable) must be submitted to the director BEFORE your child’s first day
The Early Learning Center participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This program, run by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), reimburses centers for nutritious, well-balanced foods served in specific quantities to all children while in care. By participating in this program, we are able to provide nutritional breakfast and snacks to the children without any additional cost to the families.
The Early Learning Center provides a nutritious breakfast, morning snack and afternoon snack. Families provide their own lunch for their child.
Daily Meal Schedule
| Meal Type | Time | Source of Meal |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. | Provided by Center |
| AM Snack | 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | Provided by Center |
| Lunch | 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Provided by Parent/Guardian |
| PM Snack | 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Provided by Center |
2023-2024 Center Closures
Fall Quarter
- September 4 - September 8, 2023 (Labor Day & Fall Break)
- September 11, 2023 (Professional Development Day)
- November 10, 2023 (Veteran's Day)
- November 23 - 24, 2023 (Thanksgiving Holiday)
- December 15, 2023 (Professional Development Day)
- December 18 - January 2, 2024 (Winter Break)
Winter Quarter
- January 15, 2024 (Martin Luther King Day)
- February 19, 2024 (President's Day)
- March 22, 2024 (Professional Development Day)
- March 25 - March 29, 2024 (Spring Break)
Spring Quarter
- May 27, 2024 (Memorial Day)
- June 19, 2024 (Juneteenth Observance)
- June 21, 2024 (Professional Development Day)
- June 24 - 28, 2024 (Summer Break)