Childcare and Early Childhood Education
About Childcare
Hilltop’s Early Childhood Education Program goes beyond childcare to focus on teaching and instilling love of learning. Children grow in curiosity, problem solving, compassion and social skills. Hilltop provides full-time, year-round care and education for infants age six weeks through children five years old. Our NECPA and top-level Paths to Quality certifications as a registered ministry make us unique.
Hilltop’s play-based curriculum is aligned to the Foundations to the Indiana Academic Standards, which provides children with developmentally appropriate early learning experiences that foster future success. Children are evaluated twice a year using the Brigance Early Childhood Screen III Assessment Tool, which gives parents periodic reports of their child's skill-building for kindergarten.
Our Credentials
- Registered with the Indiana Department of Education, IDOE.
- Registered with the Family and Social Services Administration, through their Office of Early Childhood Education, as an On My Way Pre-K site.
- The only registered ministry in Porter Country to earn a Level 4 rating in Indiana’s Paths to Quality, certifying quality learning and school readiness.
- Certified by the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)
- Enrolled in Brigance Early Childhood Screen III Assessment Tool
- 85% of our teaching staff have over 20 years of individual teaching experience. The lead teachers for each classroom are licensed and/or degreed in the field of Education.
Child-Development Centered Curriculum
Providing an unyielding foundation for success in school, our curriculum was developed by an Early Childhood Education Council made up of local professionals in the field of Early Childhood Education including: superintendents, area kindergarten teachers, mental health professionals, HealthLinc, retired teachers, and current and past parents.
All lesson plans are derived from the Foundations to the Indiana Academic Standards. Our lesson plans provide stimulating, fun activities in the fields of math, science, language arts, music, dramatic play, carpentry, art, nutrition, large and small motor skills, nutrition, and more!
Kindergarten Readiness
Hilltop’s kindergarten-readiness emphasis helps children develop the social, listening, and academic skills necessary to succeed in school. In fact, 100% of our children tested in the 95th percentile or higher on kindergarten entrance testing.
Encourages diversity
20% of our children live in homes where multiple languages are spoken; 45% of our children represent a cultural or ethnic minority.
A Place to Belong
At Hilltop, childcare is not a product to be sold for profit, but rather a nurturing environment where all children grow and learn in a way that encourages acceptance and appreciation for others. 67% of the families enrolled at Hilltop live below the poverty line, which means that 57% of their grossed income goes toward childcare expenses. Hilltop offers tuition scholarships and other assistance to those who qualify, allowing parents to continue their employment or schooling in the community, moving toward financial security. For more information, please contact Amy Osburn at aosburn@hilltophouse.org.
- Scholarships are available based on family size and income.
- On My Way Pre-K grants for 4 year-olds from low-income families are available so that their children may have access to high-quality pre-K programs the year before they begin kindergarten.
- CCDF State Childcare Vouchers – Hilltop accepts the Childcare Development Fund vouchers. We also provide assistance in signing up for the Indiana FSSA’s CCDF waitlist.
Community connection
Hilltop children are fortunate to benefit from trained, dedicated volunteers. They coordinate with classroom teachers to host parties, play music, learn crafts, rock babies, play with toddlers, and lots of other creative activities. Philanthropic groups such as Tri Kappa and Kiwanis add to literacy development by reading to our children. Volunteers help Hilltop provide extra attention to each child.
Teaching while learning
Our proximity to Valparaiso University, Ivy Tech Community College, and Purdue University Northwest is also a tremendous advantage, allowing our children to interact with students who are studying to be teachers, nurses, social workers and more. This local talent is a tremendous support for our Lead Teachers and results in more individualized attention for each child. Hilltop is proud to be teaching the next generation of Early Learning Educators!
Healthy Kids, Healthy Choices
Hilltop’s program teaches a positive lifestyle, including healthy eating, physical activity, and overall wellness. Hilltop’s partners and collaborators ensure our Healthy Kids, Healthy Choices programming is successful. Valparaiso University’s School of Nursing implements fun and hands-on educational lessons on healthfulness.
Topics include handwashing, nutrition and exercise, dental care, water safety, and fire safety…just to name a few. Thanks in part to the United Way of Porter County, Porter County Community Foundation and Tri Kappa as well as the federally-funded program CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program), our children receive a healthy breakfast and snacks every day they are in our childcare program. Learn more here.
Daily physical activity
Minds in Motion put fun into fitness! This program uses daily exercise to promote physical, mental, and social/emotional development by emphasizing what children innately crave to do – move!
Weather-related news
During the school year, Hilltop follows the decisions of Valparaiso Community Schools for closures and delays for inclement weather. Announcements regarding weather-related changes will be posted to Hilltop’s Facebook page, and through our text messaging system.