Early Learning Centers (ELC)

The Early Learning Center (ELC) is a comprehensive National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited public preschool program located at Aiken Elementary School and Whiting Lane Elementary School. It is also  designed to meet the needs of West Hartford children between the ages of three and five years old identified with speech and language, developmental, social, behavioral or academic delays. Students with special education needs are referred to the ELC from several sources: parents, community based pre-schools, the State of Connecticut Birth-to-Three Program, teacher, public and private agencies and pediatricians.

ABOUT THE ELC

• The ELC program implements the Creative Curriculum for Preschool.  This curriculum is a play-based approach grounded in research and early childhood theory. Teachers plan for and assess your children’s development using the companion assessment tool called Teaching Strategies GOLD.

• An inclusive program, with approximately 50% students identified with special needs and 50% typically developing peer models per classroom.

• Children with special needs are determined eligible through the Special Education Planning and Placement Team (PPT) process.

• Children exhibiting age appropriate development can be considered for the program as Peer Playmates. These children are selected by a screening and lottery process and pay tuition upon entering the program.

• Located at both Whiting Lane Elementary School and Aiken Elementary School. The ELC Team determines program location for each student based on availability and program needs.  

• All teachers at the Early Learning Center are dual certified in early childhood education and special education.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PEER MODELS

• West Hartford resident

• Three or Four years of age on or before September 1st of the intended school year

• Ability to model age appropriate skills in the areas of social, play, adaptive behaviors, and expressive/receptive communication

• Completion of the application and participation in our early childhood screening is required

• Acceptance occurs through Lottery Process

SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

Child Find requires school districts to identify resident children, ages birth to five years, who may be in need of special education services. Through Child Find, WHPS offers evaluations at no charge to determine whether a child has an impairment impacting their development. Following the evaluation, eligible children are referred to appropriate programs and services. If you have questions about his/her development, or suspect that your child may have special education needs, please call our lead secretary, Denise Savignano at 860-233-1455.

PROGRAM CALENDAR & HOURS

• The Early Learning Center follows the West Hartford Public Schools calendar. Preschool classes meet four days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday) for a 2.5-hour session.

• PreK 3 students attend the AM session and PreK 4 students attend the PM session.

• Session hours are:

  • 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

  • 12:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

TUITION

• There is a $425 materials fee per semester ($850 per school year) for students who are accepted as peer models through the lottery process. 

• Deadlines related to registration and payment are required to be met in order to ensure acceptance in the Early Learning Center.

Pre-K Parent Handbook

The 2025-2026 Early Learning Center (ELC) PRE-K LOTTERY: Apply by March 7, 2025 at 4:00pm.

2025-2026 Early Learning Center Pre K Application

**Enrollment age has changed: Children must turn 3 or 4 respectively on or before September 1, 2025 to apply for Pre-K. 

Timeline

The 2025-2026 Early Learning Center Pre-K lottery applications are available from January 15th - March 7th at 4:00 p.m. 

• On-line Application available: January 15, 2025

• Magnet Application due: March 7, 2025 at 4:00pm

• Magnet Lottery Results sent to parents: March 20, 2025

• Accept and complete all online registration April 4, 2025

• Parent information meeting/ELC visit day: April 23, 2025

Waitlist Information:

• WHPS will not provide waitlist updates. 

• If your child’s name rises to the top of the list and a space is available, the school will contact you directly.  Students are called from the waiting list throughout the summer.

• If you are waitlisted, we strongly encourage you to find alternate plans for your child’s Pre-K experience for the fall.

Pre-Kindergarten Information:

Enrollment packets are now all electronic. Accepted families will receive a link providing all required forms and information to successfully enroll their child. For questions regarding registration please contact our residency office at residency@whps.org.

ALL children entering pre-kindergarten must have completed current health forms to attend school. This form can be found in the electronic enrollment packet. Completed forms should be returned to the school nurse.