Why Hilltop?
Hilltop Early Learning Center was established in 2002 by members of Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church.
Hilltop ELC offers all the benefits of a preschool experience with individual attention and family connection. We believe that a child’s environment has a powerful impact on learning and development. The nurturing atmosphere and personal attention at Hilltop provide the basis for social, intellectual, and emotional development. All children are welcome. And each child matters.
Hilltop-At-A-Glance
- Preschool located in Clarksville, MD
- Enrolls potty-trained children ages 3 to 5 years old
- Year-round programs, Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
- Full-Time, Part-Time, or Half-Day programs available
- Two classrooms – each with a maximum enrollment of 15 children
- Provides morning and afternoon snack
- MSDE Accredited Program
- Maryland EXCELS Level 5
ACCREDITATIONS
Hilltop is committed to providing high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood education and maintains accountability and continuous professional growth by participating in several voluntary accreditation programs. The extra levels of training and involvement ensure that our staff remains most current in developmentally appropriate practices and innovative curriculum.
Maryland State Department of Education Accreditation
The MSDE Accreditation program demonstrates a commitment to ongoing self-appraisal and quality improvement in a child care program. Accredited child care programs utilize best practices to create a high-quality learning environment and develop strong family partnerships. Participation in the Maryland Accreditation program benefits the children, families, and staff.
Maryland EXCELS Level 5 Program
Maryland EXCELS is a quality rating and improvement system for child care and early education programs that meet nationally recognized quality standards. Maryland EXCELS rates the quality of these programs on a scale of 1-5, based on their competence in these areas: Staffing and Professional Development, Accreditation and Program Improvement, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, and Administrative Policies and Practices. Level 5 programs meet the highest benchmarks in the Maryland EXCELS system and are state or nationally accredited.
Maryland Child Care Credential Program
The Maryland Child Care Credential Program recognizes individual child care professionals who increase their qualifications beyond the requirements of state licensing and regulations. The Hilltop staff maintains their credentials by pursuing and achieving an increased number of training clock hours and participating in professional and community involvement opportunities. Participation in the Maryland CCC Program means that the Hilltop staff are fully dedicated to the children and families that we serve and committed to being lifetime learners.
“Hard to imagine a better preschool than Hilltop! The teachers are enthusiastic, motivated, smart, happy, and well-educated. They provide a warm, loving, enriching, and stable environment. They are always looking to improve their methods of teaching and interacting with the children. They attend multiple conferences and classes throughout the year to ensure your child is getting the best instruction possible. The curriculum is developmentally spot-on: a perfect balance of social, emotional, and academic development.”
– Carly A.
