Early childhood center admissions
Take the first step in your child’s SCH journey
We’re thrilled you’re considering the Early Childhood Center at SCH Academy for your child. Visiting our classrooms, meeting our teachers, and seeing the children in action is the best way to experience the warmth, joy, and magic of our community.
Starting your ECC Admissions Journey
1. Inquire and visit the ECC
To register for an event, please begin by completing our inquiry form. The form will allow you to choose from the available event types (ECC Inside SCH or Small Group Tour). We offer two ways for families to explore SCH’s Early Childhood Center (ECC) and discover our Reggio Emilia–inspired approach to early learning (see below).
If you have already submitted an inquiry form but have not yet RSVP’d for an event, please contact Maggie Baker in our Admissions Office at 215-247-7007 or mbaker@sch.org, and she will assist you with your registration.
Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with event details from our Admissions Office.
ECC inside sch Event
If you’re just beginning to explore the ECC, our fall and spring open house-style events offer an introduction to our program:
- Hear from Janet Giovinazzo, Director of the ECC, about our mission and philosophy.
- Walk through classrooms to see learning in action.
- Gain an overview of our ECC community and our Reggio Emilia approach.
This is a great way to explore our classroom spaces and get the full scope of what makes our Early Childhood program unique.
ECC Inside SCH dates for 2025 & 2026:
Friday, October 10 | 9:00-10:30 AM
Wednesday, May 6 | 9:00-10:30 AM
Small Group tours
If you’re ready for a deeper, more personal visit, join one of our small group Tuesday morning tours. Limited to just three families, these sessions:
- Allow for personalized conversations with the ECC Admissions Director Kate Caro.
- Give you more time to observe classrooms during the school day.
- Focus on your child’s needs, your questions, and the details that matter to your family.
If you’re seeking a more individualized experience and want to see the ECC in action, consider registering for a small group tour.
Please note: These tours are designed for adults only. Infants are welcome, but we kindly ask that older children remain at home.
Inquire and Sign Up for Events
To register for an ECC Open House or Small Group Tour, please start the Inquiry Form by clicking above.
2. Start your application
3. Complete Your Application
Your application is considered complete once the following steps are fulfilled:
Admissions Timeline
2026-2027 Admissions Priority Rounds
| Priority Round | Application Deadline | Notification Date |
|---|---|---|
|
ROUND 1 |
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | Friday, November 14, 2025 |
|
ROUND 2 |
Wednesday, December 15, 2025 | Thursday, January 15, 2026 |
| ROUND 3 | Friday, February 13, 2026 | Friday, March 13, 2026 |
| ROUND 4 | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | Rolling, as available |
Tuition & Hours
The ECC follows SCH Academy’s academic calendar with summer options available, and offers a full-day, year-round program for children from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Early drop-off begins at 7:30 AM at no additional cost, and extended care is available until 6:00 PM for an additional fee.
Tuition includes snacks, classroom materials, and all special programming.
Please Note: Families may apply no more than one year before their intended enrollment year. While we do not maintain multi-year waitlists, priority is given to:
- Siblings of current SCH students
- Children of alumni
- Families who intend to continue through Lower School and beyond
Tuition And Rates
Early Childhood & Lower School admissions
Meet Kate, director of Early Childhood Center (ECC) and Lower School admissions. She's here to answer your questions as you begin your application process for your student(s) entering the Early Childhood Center, 18 months to 4 years old, as well as Pre-K to 4th grade. Kate started her career at SCH as a 4th grade lead teacher and has experience on both the faculty and the admissions sides of SCH Academy.
e: kcaro@sch.org
p: 215-261-6849