Fort Hill Academic-Year Calendar (PDF) The Program
The Center for Early Childhood Education at Fort Hill offers full- and part-time early education and child care in Northampton for children infancy through preschool. The program serves about 80 children in seven classrooms.
Fort Hill is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, year-round. The annual calendar notes the dates the center is closed for professional activities and holidays.
The early childhood program at Fort Hill serves as a laboratory for Smith College. Students and faculty conduct research and observations and complete field work at the site. Students also work in the classrooms through the college's work-study program.
The program helps to meet the child care needs of Smith College employees. Benefited employees are eligible for tuition grants through the Office of Human Resources.
A 10-week summer program is available to children enrolled for an academic-year.
Infant, Toddler, Preschool
2023–24 Academic-Year (40 weeks)
| Infant* | Toddler** | Preschool*** | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Class Size1 | 7 | 9 | 20 |
| Child: Teacher Ratio1 | 3:1 | 4:1 | 10:1 |
| Schedule Options | 3, 4 or 5 days2 | 3, 4 or 5 days2 | 3, 4 or 5 days2 |
| Program Opens | 8 a.m. | 8 a.m. | 8 a.m. |
| Departure Options3 | 2:45 4:45 |
2:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. |
12:45 p.m. 2:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. |
| Calendar4 | August 28– May 31 |
August 28– May 31 |
August 28– May 31 |
* Infant: two months–15 months
** Toddler: 15 months–two years and nine months
*** Preschool: three years old by December 1 to five years old
- These figures are based on Massachusetts State Law; actual class sizes and ratios may be lower
- Part-time schedules are accommodated on a space-available basis
- Departure time must be the same for all days of enrollment; extra time may be purchased on a space available basis
- The program closes according to the holiday schedule of Smith College and closes monthly for professional days