Childcare agency offering a preschool program with teachers said to be kind and informative.
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Early Childhood / Day Care
- Grades: Prekindergarten-Kindergarten
- Enrollment: 81 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
Smith Hill Early Childhood Lea ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Rhode Island for:
Category
Attribute
School Overview
School Type
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-Kindergarten
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
81 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
75%
State avg.: 29%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
1 teacher
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the application deadline for Smith Hill Early Childhood Lea?
The application deadline for Smith Hill Early Childhood Lea is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Smith Hill Early Childhood Lea located?
Smith Hill Early Childhood Lea is located in the Smith Hill neighborhood of Providence, RI. There are 1 other private schools located in Smith Hill.
School Reviews
5 12/5/2025
Our family has benefitted greatly from our child's time at Smith Hill Early Childhood Learning Center in Providence, RI (including the entire name and location because this site doesn't get the name quite right). We are a white family with parents from working and middle class backgrounds, who both work as educators (one an elementary teacher and the other a college professor). The teaching staff here are wonderful and the school program and academics are great. The families and kids that attend this school are all lovely and kind and our daughter absolutely loves the friends she has made here. We have been pleased to find such an awesome preschool that also reflects the ethnic and class diversity of our city: an important consideration for us when looking for a school. Turns out, having a diverse student demographic doesn't automatically mean a school is going to perform poorly, as most of the advice we received regarding Providence area schools seemed to hint at (if indirectly). Honestly, we almost passed on this location too because the neighboring exterior seemed so trashed and rundown, but we are glad we didn't judge this book by its cover because this school is an absolute gem and a well-kept secret :) Highly recommend Smith Hill ECLC!
Endorse Smith Hill Early Childhood Lea. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles
Free Private Schools & Voucher Programs in 2025
Updated guide to free private schools and school voucher programs, 2025 policies, costs, equity issues, and how families access tuition support.
Social Emotional Learning 2025: Policy, Practice and Outcomes
Updated 2025 review of social emotional learning in schools, research outcomes, key trends, challenges and future paths for parents and educators.
Private School Admissions for Siblings: Costs and Timing
Learn how private school admissions for siblings affect costs, discounts, and timing strategies for families planning multiple enrollments.

