Enrolling your child in ELC

The St. Al’s ELC Difference!

At the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Early Learning Center (ELC), we provide a wide range of hands-on interactive materials, allowing children to experiment and explore their surroundings. We strive to stimulate creativity and build a positive self-image in each child. The St. Aloysius Early Learning Center community creates and upholds a safe and nurturing learning environment. We believe that learning occurs at every moment of a child’s life, and it is our privilege to provide these opportunities. Children have the right to be safe, comforted, respected, express emotion, make choices, and above all, be heard. We will provide a caring, loving, and supportive environment in which all staff members will meet children’s needs at all times. We adhere to the Washington State Early Learning and Developmental Guidelines in curriculum planning. Our ELC community supports children to develop spiritually, morally, intellectually, socially, and physically to their own greatest potential. Our ELC is Christian-based, celebrating and acknowledging Jesus’ life, as well as his teachings. We believe family is the child’s first and most important teacher; therefore, we welcome families to be part of this environment! Families are allowed to explore and experience the same journeys as their children, while receiving support, encouragement, and a partnership from all staff at St. Aloysius Early Learning Center.

Enrollment Guidelines 

At St. Al’s, we have worked to create an enrollment experience for our Early Learning Center (ELC) that is both educational and efficient for interested families. The process is outlined below. We look forward to hearing from you and hopefully welcoming you to our St. Al’s family in the very near future!

Step 1: Schedule a guided tour!

Because we believe so strongly in the value of human relationships, a personal tour is the first step in our enrollment process. We want to meet you and your child! During your tour, we will explore our facilities and provide an opportunity for conversation with teachers and staff. Please follow the link below or call 509-489-7825.

Step 2: Join our waitlist!

This step in the enrollment process is only necessary when there are no age-appropriate open spots available. The length of our waitlist and the duration of this step in the process can vary significantly, and we appreciate your patience and your trust as we navigate what is best for our students and families, our staff, and our community.

1. Employees of St. Al’s School or Parish

2. Siblings of currently enrolled ELC or K-8 students

3. Active members of St. Aloysius Parish (minimum of one year)

4. Employees of Gonzaga University

5. Employees of Gonzaga Preparatory School

6. Children of Catholic Parents who are active in a parish other than St. Aloysius

Step 3: Accept an offer!*

We love Step 3! When we offer you a spot for your child, that means we believe that your family and St. Al’s are a perfect match! Once you accept our offer, we can begin the official registration process.

Step 4: Registration

Our registration process includes both paperwork and online components. When you pick up your registration packet, we will give you a brief overview of the contents and the process for completing your registration. In order to finalize your registration, we ask that you submit all completed components along with payment for your first month’s tuition and required registration fees. We will process your registration and schedule a “meet & greet” with your child’s teacher in preparation for enrollment.

Step 5: Enrollment!

And now for the best part! We are ready to welcome you and your child to our St. Al’s community! Your child will begin his/her St. Al’s ELC journey on a mutually agreed-upon date, and the rest, we believe, will be a beautiful story!