Registration Nearly Full at St. Francis de Sales Early Childhood Learning Center

July 2, 2026 (HERKIMER, N.Y.) – Families considering St. Francis de Sales Early Childhood Learning Center for the 2026-2027 school year are encouraged to register soon. Enrollment is nearly full across most programs, with only a limited number of openings remaining before waitlists begin.

St. Francis de Sales offers Preschool, Prekindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade, along with before- and after-school care and a full-day summer program. Families from Herkimer, Little Falls, Mohawk, Ilion, Frankfort, St. Johnsville, Richfield Springs, and surrounding communities are welcome to enroll; there are no district residency restrictions. Transportation may be available for Kindergarten and First Grade students.

What sets St. Francis apart is its commitment to play-based, experiential learning. While many schools continue to increase classroom screen time, St. Francis emphasizes creativity, exploration, outdoor learning, and meaningful social interaction in a nurturing environment where small class sizes help teachers build strong relationships with every child.

“Technology has its place,” said Administrator Nellie Criqui. “But childhood only happens once. At St. Francis, children learn by creating, exploring, and discovering.”

Since becoming an Early Childhood Learning Center in 2018, educators have focused exclusively on giving young learners the strongest possible foundation through whole-child development, outdoor exploration, active play, curiosity-driven learning, and values rooted in the Catholic tradition.

Families are encouraged to schedule a tour and begin the enrollment process as soon as possible while openings remain. Once classrooms reach capacity, students will be placed on a waitlist.

For more information or to schedule a visit, contact St. Francis de Sales Early Childhood Learning Center at 315-866-4831, email stfranciseclc@gmail.com, or visit the school’s Facebook page.