ECDC has limited openings for the 2025-26 school year. Please contact Kari Alford at kalford@saintmarys.edu or Nikki Zavada at nzavada@saintmarys.edu to inquire about openings. 

How to Enroll Your Child at ECDC

New Families should plan to start the registration process the winter prior to the program they are registering for.

In December – Registration Forms Available
In early to mid-December, ECDC posts registration forms for the upcoming School Year and Summer program on our website. Click on the links below to complete the forms.

*Families currently enrolled in the 2025-26 school year – If you have a child enrolled in the current school year program, please complete the current family registration form on the family resources page. The forms below are for new and returning families and will be processed after current family registration is complete. Thank you!

• 2026-27 Kindergarten School Year Registration Form, $100 non-refundable fee – Due January 15th
  • must be 5 years old by September 1, 2026
  • program dates – 8/24/26-6/2/27
• 2026 Summer Registration Form, $50 non-refundable fee – Due February 15th
  • ECDC-ND – ages 2 1/2 through 9 years; children must be 2 1/2 years old by June 1, 2026
    ECDC-SMC – ages 3 through 9 years; children must be 3 years old by June 1, 2026
  • program dates – 6/8/26-8/7/26
• 2026-27 Preschool School Year Registration Form, $50 non-refundable fee – Due March 1st
  • must be 2 years old by September 1, 2026 for ECDC-ND enrollment
  • must be 3 years old by start date for ECDC-SMC enrollment (if your child turns 3 after the school year begins, contact us to discuss your enrollment options at ECDC-SMC)
  • program dates – 8/24/26-6/2/27

In January/February –  Schedule a Tour & Submit Your Registration Forms
a) Schedule a Tour – ECDC hosts “Walk Through Wednesdays” on Wednesday mornings at our two ECDC program sites during January and February. Please use the links below to arrange a tour. If you miss the Walk Through Wednesday dates, call ECDC to schedule a tour. ECDC-SMC: 574-284-4693, ECDC-ND: 574-631-3344.
Visit ECDC at Saint Mary’s College or Visit ECDC at the University of Notre Dame

b) Submit Your Registration Form – Submit your registration form with registration fee by the program due date to be included in the initial registration selection process. Forms received after the due date will be processed on a first come first served basis once the initial registration selection process is completed.

*Directions to both ECDC sites can be found on the Contact Us page.

In February/March – Check Your Email
Families are notified by email of enrollment or waiting list status within 1 month of the registration due date, and our goal is notification within 3 weeks.

Next Steps – The registration selection process will not take place until after the registration due date. Families will receive an email within 1 month of the registration due date letting them know if their child has been enrolled or added to the waiting list. Once you receive your email, please click below to learn about the next steps for your family.

Registration Highlights

• Families complete a registration form for each program they are interested in (school year and/or summer).
• Families register/enroll for the entire program. The school year begins in late August and ends in late May or early June. The summer program is nine weeks, early June through early August. See the ECDC calendar for program dates and ECDC holidays.
• Families enrolled in the current school year program have registration priority for the upcoming summer and school year programs.
•  New and returning families are enrolled using a random selection process with registration priority categories.
• Once you receive your enrollment confirmation letter by email, your child is enrolled in the program. If you have changed your mind, please withdrawal prior to the withdrawal deadline to avoid any financial obligation.
• Please contact Kari Alford at kalford@saintmarys.edu or Nikki Zavada at nzavada@saintmarys.edu with any questions.
• Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
• When Can I Enroll at ECDC-ND
• When Can I Enroll at ECDC-SMC

The Early Childhood Development Center admits students of any race, color, religion, gender, and national or ethnic origin.