Early Childhood Center

The Bennington College Early Childhood Center (ECC) is a laboratory school that provides intellectually challenging educational programs for children ages two through Kindergarten. It actively involves children in their own learning, inviting them to participate in real experiences, engage in new ways of thinking, explore their passions, discover new interests, ask questions, and use their imaginations.

The ECC is committed to fostering each child’s journey to reach his/her social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and aesthetic potential. Our work with children is supported through the collaboration of parents, teachers, and the Bennington College community.

• General information
• Philosophy and curriculum
• Unique offerings
• Faculty and staff
• Licensing, accreditation, and recognition

General Information

Ages served—Preschool through Kindergarten, ages two and older

Population served—The ECC serves families from Bennington College, Bennington County, and the surrounding communities in eastern New York and northwestern Massachusetts. We welcome children receiving Vermont Department of Children and Families tuition subsidy as well as offer a scholarship program of our own. The ECC cooperates with the Vermont Infant Toddler Program and the Early Essential Education Program in providing appropriate educational experiences to children with identified developmental delays.

Hours of operation—Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

• Morning session—8:30 am–12:30 pm (snack and lunch served)
  • preschool children may register for three to five mornings per week
  • prekindergarten/kindergarten children register for five mornings per week
• Afternoon session—12:30–4:30 pm (snack served)
  • children ages 3 and older may register for two to five afternoons per week for a mixed-age program
  • no afternoon program is offered for 2-year-olds
• After-school childcare service—4:30–5:00 pm

Calendar—The ECC generally follows a blend of the Bennington College calendar and the public school calendar from early September into the last week of May/first week of June, with annual registration required. A six-week summer camp program is offered with a separate schedule, calendar, and registration.

Philosophy and Curriculum

The Early Childhood Center reflects the Bennington College belief that educational goals are best served when students play an active role in designing their learning experience. The ECC accomplishes this through the use of emergent curriculum, which develops from the expressed or observed interests or concerns of the group. The teacher ties together the threads of passion, interest, knowledge, and the acknowledged learning standards into areas of deeper exploration. The children come away from this experience seeing themselves as learners as well as change-makers. They also develop a connection with and an appreciation of the other members of the group.

The curriculum at the ECC is inspired by successful early childhood education practices and research that support children’s growth, development, and learning. Each classroom is designed with carefully considered materials and activities to support individual and group projects. We emphasize the construction of knowledge through discovery. In addition, we keep in mind our responsibilities to educate the children to the world in which they live.

Unique Offerings

The program has many unique offerings that foster children’s growth and development in a wide range of areas. Preschool groups swim weekly at the local recreation center and have use of a dance studio on the College campus for movement activities. The annual garden and nutrition project makes use of a 20'x40' garden on the playground offering children hands-on experience in aspects of growing, harvesting, preparing, and eating a variety vegetables. A second language program introduces children to Spanish thereby expanding their awareness of another language and culture. Learning experiences in the classroom are guided by the Vermont Early Learning Standards and the staff’s knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice.

Faculty and Staff

Each classroom is guided by an experienced professional, educated in early childhood studies and/or related fields, with the help of a professional assistant and a Spanish-speaking teacher or Bennington College students. The educational programs are designed with an appropriate adult-child ratio.

Click here for brief biographies of ECC faculty and staff.

Licensing, Accreditation, and Recognition

The ECC is licensed by the State of Vermont Child Development Division, has earned four stars in the Vermont Step Ahead Recognition System, and is accredited by NAEYC (the National Association for the Education of Young Children). The Kindergarten has been awarded Approved Independent School status by the Vermont State Board of Education.