The Early Childhood Learning Center and Rainbow Center are designed to provide quality childcare services and an educational curriculum to serve the needs of young children ranging in age from one month to eight years old. The goal is to sustain and encourage curiosity and eagerness to learn in all young children enrolled, provide a theme-based learning curriculum where classes are "student-driven" rather than teacher-directed.

The ECLC is located a half mile east of the CWU campus at: 1900 Brooklane; Suite 100 (Student Housing).

The Rainbow Center is located in Michealson 109, North Campus on Dean Nicholson Blvd.

See Campus Map for Location of ECLC and Rainbow Center.
For more information call: 509.963.1744, or e-mail

Registration priority is reserved for children of CWU students who are enrolled in at least 6 credits. The remaining spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis from the waiting list. We accept children of university faculty and staff members on a space-available basis only.

Our teachers are selected for their educational background in child development, life experiences, and their commitment to children and families. All teachers meet or exceed minimum hiring requirements as required by Human Resources at CWU and DSHS staffing requirements.

First-time enrollment at the ECLC requires a $50.00 deposit per family to reserve a slot for the child being enrolled. The $50.00 will be credited to your ECLC account and applied to the tuition for the quarter. If you reserve a slot and your child does not attend, the deposit is non-refundable.

New families will be enrolled chronologically as space permits. At least one parent must be affiliated with the university (student, faculty, or staff)

We are dedicated to the highest quality developmental care possible for each child in a secure and homelike environment. We want every child to feel known and respected. Children have an important role in developing our curriculum. We endeavor to assist them in understanding that at the ECLC and Rainbow Center, everyone is a learner- and learning is worth the risk. Our goals are to meet children's needs to feel comfortable and secure, for them to know what is expected of them, and to have opportunites to express themeselves.