The Early Learning Center is an integrated, NAEYC accredited program, for three and four year old children who live in West Hartford. Our classes, located at Aiken and Whiting Lane Elementary Schools,provide opportunities for students with and without special needs to learn and grow together. We offer half day programs. Our morning session runs from 9:00 to 11:30 am while our afternoon program hours are from 12:15 to 2:45 pm. School is not in session on Wednesdays.
In order to be eligible, typically developing children must bethree or four by September first of the intended school year. Enrollment is based on a lottery. Tuition is $750.00 for the year. Parents are encouraged to contact Pam Macca,ELC secretary at Whiting Lane Elementary (860)233-1455 or Pam_Macca@whps.org for anapplication.
Parents who suspect that their child may require special education should begin an intake process by contacting our school social worker, Noreen McQueeney at (860)233-1455 or Noreen_McQueeney@whps.org.
The Early Learning Center is a comprehensive public pre-school program designed to meet the needs of West Hartford children with disabilities, between the ages of three and five years old. Students are referred to the ELC from several sources: parents, community based pre-schools, the State of Connecticut Birth to Three Program, teachers, public and private agencies and pediatricians. Students present with speech and language, developmental, social, behavioral and academic delays.
The ELC is an inclusive pre-school where students with disabilities are educated in a reverse mainstream setting with typically developing peers. Students receive instruction in kindergarten readiness skills in a standards based program with individualized instruction in the areas of need. To address these needs, the ELC provides speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social skill education, behavioral consultation, psychological and counseling services and applied behavioral analysis. Students attend the program on a half day, full day and itinerant basis as determined by the level of individual need. The Early Learning Center staff is responsible for evaluative and consultative services to private community based pre-schools attended by West Hartford residents. The Early Learning Center special education pre-school programs are located at Aiken School and Whiting Lane School.