Hilltop Early Learning Center’s free pre-kindergarten program is open to preschoolers in the Hilltop community. The other services provided at Hilltop Early Learning Center — including access to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, counseling services, food pantries, and more — are available to the entire Hilltop community, regardless if they have a child enrolled in pre-k or not.

The health and safety of all children is a top priority at the Hilltop Early Learning Center. The facility is equipped with security features that ensure only approved staff and caregivers can enter the pre-k classrooms. The center exceeds required security protocols, procedures, and staff training to keep children safe while in the care of center staff.

Crucial brain development happens in the first five years of life. Pre-k helps make the most of these years, growing important skills, developing a drive to learn, and opening the door for future opportunities.

Pre-k is more than academics. It’s vital for developing empathy, self-regulation of emotions, expression of feelings, and more. Without skills such as these, children are likely to struggle in later years.

Hilltop Early Learning Center is a pre-k specifically built for the Hilltop community. We partner with families to embrace the cultures and traditions of the area while providing a learning curriculum that prepares Hilltop’s children for success.

The classroom curriculum is PreK On My Way, created by Scholastic. The program’s engaging approach helps every child develop the skills they’ll need to flourish as readers, writers, and explorers of the world.

The Hilltop Early Learning Center (HELC) lead partner and education partners are licensed separately as preschool providers by the Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services and/or Ohio Department of Education.

All building partners and participants have earned the Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) five-star rating through The Ohio Department of Education and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. SUTQ recognizes and promotes learning and development programs that meet quality program standards that exceed licensing health and safety regulations. The program standards are based on national research identifying standards that lead to improved outcomes for children.