Washington Park Early Learning Center

Washington Park Early Learning Center describes teaching as “guided discovery,” with teachers respecting and supporting each child’s individual style and pace of learning. Its approach is play-based, child-led, and process-oriented, emphasizing exploration, creativity, problem-solving, social-emotional growth, and initiative rather than focusing on finished products.

WPELC accepts 2026-27 applications on a rolling basis as space allows; families are instructed to email admissions@wpelc.org and submit the online application form, and the school recommends prospective families attend a tour or open house. (wpelc.org) As of July 2026, the site says there is space in the Monday/Wednesday/Friday Early Learner classroom, while all other classes are on a wait pool; posted enrolled-family deadlines include May 1 for September 2026 tuition, the 2026-27 activity fee, and Social History Form, and August 14 for remaining enrollment forms. (wpelc.org) The application asks for child and family information, a separate unique application per child, class selection, age eligibility by September 1, 2026, and other background information; new applicants including siblings pay a $65 application fee, and accepted students owe a $185 annual activity fee. (wpelc.org) Admissions use an annual loose lottery rather than first-come, first-served placement, with classes balanced by age and gender; enrollment preference is given in order to current students, siblings of current students, children of staff, alumni families, and then new families. (wpelc.org) Children not admitted are placed in an unranked wait pool, openings are filled using the same age/gender-balancing approach, and the wait pool lasts only for the current school year; families must reapply the next year, but later applications for the same child have the registration/application fee waived. (wpelc.org)