Tuition
Thank you for your interest in Little Star! We are a non-profit school and we strive to be accessible to all children and families. We recognize that early childhood education and child care are major family expenses, so we maintain a robust financial aid program and set tuition rates below true costs to make it as affordable as possible. Our tuition income only covers 80 percent of our operating costs. The remaining 20 percent is covered by the fundraising efforts of our board, parents and community. If you would like to support our mission with a financial contribution, please visit our giving page or contact us.
Financial aid and discounts
Financial aid and WCCC/DCYF payments are accepted. Please contact the Executive Director for more information and to apply to our financial aid program.
We offer a second child tuition discount of 10 percent, applied to the younger child’s rate.
Payment schedule
All tuition for the school year (late August - mid-June) is figured on an annual basis and then broken down into 10 monthly payments, due on the 15th of each month. Summer programming for the Twisp and Winthrop campuses have separate enrollment and payment schedules.
Make-up days
All children receive 4 make-up days for the year.
For more information about change fees, sick days, volunteer hour requirements and more, please see the Parent Handbook.
Early drop-off
Early drop-off is available from 7:45-8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Pre-registration required.
2023-2024 MONTHLY TUITION
Winthrop & Twisp Infant Program
| Pickup | 12:30 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | 5:15 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Day | $183 | $320 | $380 |
| Two Days | $364 | $641 | $758 |
| Three Days | $546 | $961 | $1,137 |
| Four Days | $728 | $1,280 | $1,515 |
| Five Days | $869 | $1,518 | 3:30 pick up on Fridays |
Two days per week minimum; families choosing 3 days attendance are encouraged to register for either a Monday or Friday to even out classroom numbers throughout the week.
10 month program, separate summer programming available, rates average $12.11 per hour.
Winthrop & Twisp Toddler Program
| Pickup | 12:30 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | 5:15 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Day | $158 | $272 | $316 |
| Two Days | $316 | $545 | $638 |
| Three Days | $474 | $817 | $957 |
| Four Days | $632 | $1,090 | $1,275 |
| Five Days | $752 | $1,291 | 3:30 pick up on Fridays |
Two days per week minimum; families choosing 3 days attendance are encouraged to register for either a Monday or Friday to even out classroom numbers throughout the week.
10 month program, separate summer programming available, rates average $10.33 per hour.
Early Childhood
| Pickup | 1:00 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | 5:15 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Day | $154 | $236 | $272 |
| Two Days | $308 | $471 | $542 |
| Three Days | $461 | $707 | $815 |
| Four Days | $615 | $942 | $1,084 |
| Five Days | $732 | $1,119 | 3:30 pick up on Fridays |
Three days per week minimum; families choosing 3 days attendance are encouraged to register for either a Monday or Friday to even out classroom numbers throughout the week.
10 month program, rates average $8.90 per hour.
Kindergarten
| Pickup | 3:30 p.m. | 5:15 p.m. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four Days | $942 | $1,084 | |
| Five Days | $1,119 | 3:30 pick up on Fridays |
Kindergartners are an integral part of the Early Childhood program and multi-age classroom. We recognize the commitment families make to finish the Early Childhood Program and Kindergarten year at Little Star. As with all of our programs, financial aid is available to those that qualify.
Four days per week minimum.
10 month program, rates average $8.90 per hour.
Why does Little Star charge tuition?
For most families throughout the US, childcare and early learning programs are a major monthly expense. Why do programs like Little Star need to charge tuition when there are free public schools for kindergarten through 12th grade? It’s an important conversation to have in our community. Please check out this video from the Center for the Study of Childcare Employment: Why Do Parents Spend So Much On Childcare, Yet Early Childhood Educators Earn So Little? While teachers at Little Star are paid more than $15/hour and receive paid leave, many of the points in the video ring true for both parents and teachers at Little Star.
Consider the following:
Public funding for childcare and early childhood education is extremely limited and there is still no public option that is available to all for preschool like there is for K-12 education.
There are very few private grants available for infant, toddler and preschool programming.
Tuition covers only 80 percent of Little Star’s operating costs. Together with you, our parents and our broader community, we fundraise the rest.
Through our Financial Aid Program, Little Star strives to create equitable access to childcare and early learning programs for families in the Methow Valley.
Research continues to demonstrate that high quality infant through early childhood education programs produce profound developmental and health benefits for children and their families, and economic and employment benefits for our entire society. With this in mind, early childhood education is clearly a sound investment in our children’s future. If you agree, join us in advocating for public funding for early childhood education and finding other solutions to build a community where childcare is affordable and available for all.
How can I help?
Call your state representatives and let them know you want to see more public funding for early childhood education.
Help make childcare accessible in our Valley today. Little Star School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, donations are tax deductible. Contact brad@littlestarschool.org or visit our giving page for more information.
Thank you for your support!