The Child Study Center is a laboratory nursery school for Wellesley College Psychology Department and is open during Wellesley's academic year, September through the third week in May. It has only morning programs, (8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.). There are three classes, one for two year olds, one for three year olds and one for four year olds. The age cut-off date is September 1st. Two-year-olds may come for two, three or five mornings a week. Three and four year olds come five mornings a week. Preference is given to the children of Wellesley's faculty and staff, to siblings of children already attending, and remaining spaces are open to the general community. The children are observed and participate in simple research projects, which are carefully monitored. Because of this research, an even number of boys and girls are enrolled and a range of birth months within each class is preferred.

Applications are accepted between October 1st and January 31st. At least one parent or guardian must visit the school while it is in session as part of the admissions process. Decisions are made in March for admission the following September.

An application that can be submitted online or printed and mailed is available from October 1st through January 31st.

The tuition rates for the 2008-2009 academic year are listed below.
Please note that our tuition usually increases each year by a small percentage.

Birth Date Cut-offs for Admission for 2009-10

• Youngest: 9/1/2007
• Middle: 9/1/2006
• Oldest: 9/1/2005