Early Learning Center

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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 co-payment (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

Early Learning Center Partnership with the City of Kirkland: Reserved Spots at Reduced Rates for City Employees

We are excited to announce a special partnership between our Early Learning Center and the City of Kirkland! This collaboration allows us to reserve a limited number of spots exclusively for city employees at a reduced rate, providing affordable, high-quality childcare for those who work in service of our community.

Key Benefits:

Reduced Rates:
- City employees will enjoy a discounted tuition rate, helping to alleviate the financial burden of childcare costs.
Guaranteed Enrollment
- A select number of spots are reserved specifically for city employees, ensuring access to our center’s services.
High-Quality Care
- Our childcare center is committed to providing a nurturing, safe, and engaging environment for children. Our compassionate staff ensure that every child receives exceptional care.

This partnership is part of our shared goal to support the well-being of both city employees and their families. We look forward to welcoming your little ones into our caring and supportive community!

For more information or to inquire about availability, please contact (425) 739-8117 or ELC@LWTech.edu.

Fall Quarter

September 2 - September 6, 2024 (Labor Day & Fall Break)
September 9, 2024 (Professional Development Day)
November 11, 2024 (Veteran's Day)
November 28 - 29, 2024 (Thanksgiving Holiday)
December 20, 2024 (Professional Development Day)
December 23 - January 3, 2025 (Winter Break)

Winter Quarter

January 20, 2025 (Martin Luther King Day)
February 17, 2025 (President's Day)
March 21, 2025 (Professional Development Day)
March 24 - March 28, 2025 (Spring Break)

Spring Quarter

May 26, 2025 (Memorial Day)
June 19, 2025 (Juneteenth Observance)
June 20, 2025 (Professional Development Day)
June 30 - July 4, 2025 (Summer Break)

Note: Dates may be subject to change. At least 90-day notice will be provided.

2024-2025 Tuition and Fees

Rates effective September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025

For the rates listed below, Toddler and Preschool are defined as:

Toddler	18 months - 3 years old
Preschool	3 years - 6 years old

General Fees

Fee Type	Fee Amount	Fee Description
Enrollment Fee	$200.00	Per Family, One-Time Fee
Emergency Supply Fee	$50.00	Per Child, One-Time Fee
Registration Renewal Fee	$100.00	Per Child, Annually (Sept)

Tuition

LWTech Student Rates

Must be enrolled in 6 credits or more.
If classes cannot be verified anytime during the quarter, the student will be charged community rate.

Toddlers	5 Full Days	1-4 Full Days	5 Half Days	1-4 Half Days
Monthly	$1830	$1715	$1715	$1535
Weekly	$535	$520	$520	$440
Preschool	5 Full Days	1-4 Full Days	5 Half Days	1-4 Half Days
Monthly	$1715	$1600	$1600	$1400
Weekly	$515	$465	$465	$400

*Half Days are Up to 4 hours

LWTech Employee Rates

Toddlers	5 Full Days	1-4 Full Days	5 Half Days	1-4 Half Days
Monthly	$1950	$1830	$1830	$1680
Weekly	$570	$535	$535	$475
Preschool	5 Full Days	1-4 Full Days	5 Half Days	1-4 Half Days
Monthly	$1830	$1715	$1715	$1600
Weekly	$535	$505	$505	$465

*Half Days are Up to 4 hours

Community Rates

Toddlers	4/5 Full Days	Up to 3 Full Days*
Monthly	$2250	$2035
Preschool	4/5 Full Days	Up to 3 Full Days*
Monthly	$2140	$1930

*Part time enrollment for community members is provided on a space available basis only. Priority will be given to families requesting full time enrollment. If a child enrolls and needs full time care, you will be given the option to change your contract to full time or end your contract.

Partner Rates

Current partnerships: City of Kirkland

Toddlers	4/5 Full Days	Up to 3 Full Days*
Monthly	$2100	$1900
Preschool	4/5 Full Days	Up to 3 Full Days*
Monthly	$2000	$1800

*Part time enrollment for partners is provided on a space available basis only.

Rate Classifications

Toddler	18 months - 3 years old
Preschool	3 years - 6 years old

The tuition will change to preschool rate the quarter after your child turns 3 years old.

Monthly Rates

Monthly rates are designed for the student or employee that utilizes care between the academic
quarters when the ELC is open, but college classes are not in session. This rate covers all dates that the ELC is open and provides students and employees a small discount compared to the monthly rate. Monthly rates are always due the first business day of each month.

Weekly Rates

Weekly rates offer flexibility for the student or employee that may not need care when classes at
LWTech are not in session. With the weekly rate you have the flexibility to end your contract on the last week of class for the quarter. Weekly rates are due every Monday of the upcoming week.

Full Time

Full time rates are for students and employees who plan on having their child attend Monday – Friday anytime during the centers operating hours (maximum of 10 hours per day). Children may not be dropped off after 10:00 a.m.

Part Time

Several part time options are available for students and employees. If you choose one of these options, you are obligated to follow the schedule you create in your contract; changes to your schedule will not be accepted. If you choose the half day option and do not pick up at your child up before 12:00pm, you will be charged the full day rate and a late pick of fee of $25. There are no afternoon part-time sessions.

Additional Fees

Late Payment Fee: $25

Monthly Payment, DSHS & Subsidy Co-Payments

Payment is due by the first business day of every month. Any payment made after the 5th day of the month is subject to a $25.00 late fee per day until payment is made.

Weekly Payments

Payment is due on Monday for the upcoming week. Any payment that is paid Wednesday, or later, is subject to a $25.00 late fee per day until payment is made. If tuition is not paid for two consecutive weeks, the child’s enrollment may be terminated by the ELC.

Late Pick-Up Fee: $25

If you arrive to pick up your child after 5:00pm, a late fee of $25.00 will be assessed for the first 10 minutes and will accrue at $1.00 per minute for each minute after.

DSHS Subsidy

The Early Learning Center currently accepts DSHS subsidy and working connections for children who will be in attendance 3 or more days per week. All approval paperwork from DSHS must be received by the early learning center and monthly copayment must be made before your child is able to attend. Your monthly copayment is determined by DSHS and is due by the 1st of each month, regardless of attendance. If payment is not made by the 5th of the month you may be subject to termination of care.

Other Financial Assistance Programs

LWTech Financial Aid Childcare Grant: (425) 739-8106
King County Best Starts for Kids: (206) 263-9105