Frequently Asked Questions

Families submit an enrollment application along with a non-refundable, sliding-scale application fee based on family income. Applications are prioritized according to our bylaws: children of Smithsonian employees, tenants, and other related entities come first, and, as space allows, children of other governmental entities and the general public. Applications received by April 1 are entered into the annual enrollment lottery for the coming school year. Children are selected through a random number lottery, and families not selected are placed on the waiting list for the remainder of the year. Once selected, families confirm the space with a registration fee and enrollment deposit.

Priority at SEEC follows our bylaws: children of Smithsonian employees, tenants, and other related entities come first, and, as space allows, children of other governmental entities and the general public. Sibling preference follows the same order.

Yes. SEEC provides a hot catered lunch and snacks every day, included in tuition. Whole milk is offered to children over 12 months at morning snack and lunch. Families and educators work together to transition infants from baby food to the catered lunch program. Special diets for medical, religious, or cultural reasons are accommodated, with families providing appropriate alternatives.

SEEC follows American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. Children stay home when they have a fever over 100°F (armpit) or 101°F (oral) accompanied by behavioral changes, any fever in infants under four months, vomiting two or more times in 24 hours, persistent diarrhea, or rash with fever. If symptoms develop during the school day, families are asked to pick up within one hour of notification.

SEEC closes whenever the Smithsonian museums close for inclement weather, and families are notified by 6:30 a.m. via email.

SEEC serves children from eight weeks old through five years. Children are grouped by age, and a child's exact classroom depends on their date of birth, so include it when you inquire and we will point you to the right group.

Full-Time School is our full-time weekday school for children from eight weeks to five years old. Smithsonian Early Explorers is a part-time toddler program for children 18–36 months, meeting Monday and Tuesday mornings with a caregiver and child attending together. Summer at SEEC runs weekday day camps in themed weekly sessions. Family Workshops are single-session morning programs open to all families.

Yes. SEEC welcomes children with diverse needs and supports their growth through personalized interactions and collaboration with families and outside experts. Children age three and up are screened for developmental milestones at the start of the school year, with vision screenings in the preschool year and hearing screenings in the fours year. All screenings are done with parent or guardian permission.

The fours year integrates literacy, math, science, social studies, and art into extended, museum-based investigations while building the independence and executive functioning that kindergarten asks of children. See Ready for kindergarten for a closer look at the curriculum.

Board-approved 2026–27 tuition rates for every Full-Time School age group are published on our Tuition & Financial Aid page. You will also find details there about financial aid, military benefits, and the sliding-scale application fee.

Yes. Financial aid is available for qualifying families. SEEC also accepts Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) for eligible military families. Email seecinfo@si.edu to learn about eligibility and the application process.