Pre-kindergarten (pre-K) is an early childhood education program for children aged 4, aiming to provide a foundation for their cognitive, social, and emotional development. It offers early learning opportunities, social skill development, and school readiness, making the transition to kindergarten smoother. High-quality pre-K can narrow achievement gaps, improve long-term educational and economic outcomes, and benefit communities by reducing the need for remedial services. Access to quality pre-K programs is essential for all children to ensure equal educational opportunities in their formative years.

Hilltop Early Learning Center (HELC) implements a written, research-based curriculum called Pre-K On My Way, that is comprehensive and aligns with Ohio’s Early Learning Content Standards. The Ohio Department of Education sets these standards and focus on the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development areas.

In addition, health screenings and ongoing assessments are conducted by staff and community partners. HELC believes that assessment is an ongoing process and should be used as a “snapshot” of where your child is within each area of childhood development. Assessing the progress of children occurs throughout the school year.

Pre-kindergarten (pre-K) is not mandatory, but it can provide valuable preparation for kindergarten.

The pre-kindergarten program at the Hilltop Early Learning Center is intended for children who will begin kindergarten at the start of the next school year, generally those ages 4-5. Some exceptions may be made, however. Contact us when your child turns 3 years old to discuss options. Wait lists may apply.

HELC is open year-round, from January through December, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. HELC observes national holidays, and the centers close periodically to provide professional development to its staff.

A typical schedule can be viewed here. Please note: each classroom follows a slightly different routine to accommodate for shared spaces (playgrounds, lunchroom, etc.) and specialized visiting programs (art, science, dance, poetry, etc.).

Hilltop Early Learning Center (HELC) implements a written, research-based curriculum called Pre-K On My Way, that is comprehensive and aligns with Ohio’s Early Learning Content Standards. These standards are set by the Ohio Department of Education and focus on the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development areas.

Our approach uses a play-based curriculum and positive reinforcement in our classrooms to meet the individual needs of each of our students. The heart of a high-quality early learning environment is the relationship among adults and children, and children and their peers. At Hilltop Early Learning Center, we know that young children are not only developing knowledge and skills as they grow, but also feelings and attitudes about themselves as learners and citizens of a community. We value children’s creativity, imagination, wonder and joy. We believe that young children are worthy of the utmost nurturing care and respect.

HELC will not exceed the following child care licensing regulations required ratios:

Young Preschool (36-48 months)

• Teacher-to-student ratio: 1:12

• Maximum group size: 24

Older Preschool (48 months-Kindergarten)

• Teacher-to-student ratio: 1:14

• Maximum group size: 28

Staff/Child Ratios may be doubled for up to 2 hours during nap/rest time.

​​HELC participates in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which assists child care sponsors in serving nutritious meals by providing funds to supplement food costs. Families help HELC receive these benefits by completing an income eligibility application every year.

Each meal served at HELC meets or exceeds the standards defined by the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The meals and snacks provided are listed below.

Breakfast

• Served at 8:30 a.m.

• If your child arrives to the program after 8:30 a.m., please provide him with breakfast before bringing him to the center.

• Includes 3 foods from the USDA Food Groups (Grain, Fruit OR Vegetable, and Liquid Milk)

Lunch

• Served from 12:00 p.m.

• Includes 5 foods from the USDA Food Groups (Grain, Protein, Fruit & Vegetable, Liquid Milk)

P.M. Snack

• Served at 3:30 p.m.

• Includes 2 foods from the USDA Food Groups

Special Mealtime Considerations

• All HELC classrooms are nut-free. No nuts, food containing nuts, and/or nut butters are served. This includes nut beverages, such as almond or cashew milk.

• Meals and snacks provided by HELC’s kitchen are pork-free.

• Religious and dietary restrictions are respected, and HELC will make substitutions when possible. If HELC cannot provide a substitution, it is the responsibility of the family to do so. Families must provide substitutions only from the USDA food groups.

• Vegan/Vegetarian families will be required to provide a meat-replacement/protein, dairy substitute, and/or grain substitute for all meals to include Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks.

• The elimination of an entire food group (for example, dairy products) requires written documentation from the child’s physician.

The Hilltop Early Learning Center is a first-of-its-kind facility in Columbus. This whole-family support model gives families access to the highest quality pre-kindergarten programming, on-site healthcare, food security resources, counseling, and more.

A full description of our services can be found here.

Hilltop Early Learning Center’s lead partner is Columbus Early Learning Centers, the longest running early education and care provider in the Midwest. Hilltop Early Learning Center is an extension of the community, with a team who understands what it takes to help kids develop, families succeed, and neighborhoods thrive. 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. We are an extension of your love and care for your children.

Hilltop Early Learning Center, with lead partner Columbus Early Learning Centers, is an extension of the community, with a team who understands what it takes to help children develop, families succeed, and neighborhoods thrive. The first-of-its-kind facility includes partnerships with:

• Nationwide Children’s Hospital

• Child Development Council of Franklin County

• YMCA of Central Ohio

• City of Columbus

• Columbus City Schools

Four-year-olds living in the Hilltop neighborhood with zip codes 43228, 43223, or 43204 who meet the income requirements are eligible for FREE tuition for the Hilltop Early Learning Center. Free enrollment eligibility is for those who are 300% below the poverty line. Families of the following size are eligible for free pre-k through Early Start Columbus if Household Income does not exceed the amount listed:

Number of Family Members Maximum Household
in Household Income

2 $54,930

3 $69,090

4 $83,250

5 $97,410

6 $111,570

7 $125,730

8 $139,890

A private pay option is also available for families who exceed these income requirements. Fill out this form or contact us to learn more at 614-253-5525 ext. 225 or enrollment@hilltopearlylearning.org.

Enrollment is open all year round. For information about enrollment, please fill out this form or call 614-253-5525 ext. 225 or enrollment@hilltopearlylearning.org.

Once you have filled out the form or contacted us, please expect a response from your completed enrollment interest form in 7 business days via email. Please expect the email to come from Andrea Clark, Senior Director of Enrollment for Columbus Early Learning Centers, Managing Partner for Hilltop Early Learning Center.

Steps for enrollment at Hilltop Early Learning Center:

• You will receive an email with a family demographic questionnaire. Please respond to this email promptly. This email determines family eligibility for funding. Please check your spam folder. Again the email will come from Andrea Clark.

• If a family is eligible for placement at the Hilltop Early Learning Center, you will be sent 2 links to complete the enrollment. These links must be completed within 4 days or we cannot guarantee your slot. Enrollment is provided on a first-come, first-served basis and not meeting deadlines for required paperwork can result in a delay in your child’s start date for the program.

• Provide your doctor with the ODJFS Medical Form for your doctor to complete and return to HELC within 7 business days. Again, failure to meet deadlines for required paperwork may result in a delay in your child’s start date for the program.

For partnership or other questions, 614-253-5525 ext. 202

No, transportation to and from Hilltop Early Learning Center is not provided.

For information about hiring, please fill out this form.

Once you have filled out the form or contacted us, please expect to hear back from someone via email within 4 business days. You will receive an email from Teresa Brown, HR Recruiter for Columbus Early Learning Centers (CELC). CELC is the Managing Partner for the City of Columbus for the Hilltop Early Learning Center.