Admissions

Application Information

The Child Study Center is a laboratory preschool for the Wellesley College Psychology Department and is open during the College's academic year, early September through the third week in May.  We offer morning programs, (8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) with a Tuesday/Thursday extended day option (until 2:30PM) for three- and four-year olds. There are three classes, one for two year olds, one for three year olds and one for four year olds. The age of the child on August 31st determines 2, 3 or 4-year old classroom placement. Two-year-olds may come for two, three or five mornings per week. Three and four-year-olds come five mornings a week with the option of adding 2 extended days. 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 in the morning program and a range of birth months within each class is preferred.

The Child Study Center serves as a model preschool for approximately 3,000 observers and researchers. The Center is a child-centered environment where, in a modified open classroom, self-directed children learn age-appropriate skills with the support of nurturing adults. In addition, the Center conducts ongoing parent education in the form of meetings, colloquia, conferences, and written materials. In order to reach beyond our immediate community, Child Study Center staff members lecture frequently to both parent and professional groups.

Applications are accepted between October 1st and January 15th. Applications are NOT first-come-first-served. Applications are not considered complete until at least one parent or guardian visits the school for a tour and the application fee is received.

This year, because of the MLK Holiday, the deadline for applications is January 16th and the deadline for visits and submission of fees is January 17th. Decisions are made in late-January for admission the following September. Notifications of decisions are mailed after February 1st.

Submit an Online Application

Print a pdf Application Form

Schedule a Parent/Guardian Tour

Application Form Info

Applying to the CSC is a 3-step Process:

1. Fill out and submit an application - Online or via U.S. Mail
2. Visit the CSC for a Parent/Guardian  tour - SCHEDULE YOUR TOUR HERE
3. Submit a $50 application fee - On the day of your tour or via U.S. Mail

Applications are accepted from October 1st through January 15th for the school year that begins the following September. (For the 2018-2019 Academic Year, applications will be accepted through January 16, 2018.)

An Electronic Application may be submitted from October 1 - January 15.  A non-refundable application fee of $50 is required. This fee is collected on the day of your tour, checks should be made payable to Wellesley College.

Your child's application is not considered complete until at least one parent/guardian comes for a tour of the Center and your application fee has been received.

All applications received are considered equally. There is no preference given to those parents who submit early. As long as your application is received by January 16th and your tour and fee are completed by January 17 (This is our final tour date) your child will be considered for enrollment by our Admissions Committee.

Parents of TWINS must submit a separate application & application fee for each child.

Tuition

The tuition rates for the 2017-2018 Academic Year are listed below.
Please note that our tuition increases each year by a small percentage.

Birth Date Cut-offs for Admission for 2018-2019

• Youngest: 8/31/2016 (Confirm your child will be 2 yrs of age on or before 8/31/2018)
• Middle: 8/31/2015 (Confirm your child will be 3 yrs of age on or before 8/31/2018)
• Oldest: 8/31/2014 (Confirm your child will be 4 yrs of age on or before 8/31/2018)