Childcare at Hilltop Neighborhood House
Hilltop’s Early Childhood Education Program provides full-time, year-round care and education to children aged six weeks through five years. Our program is unique and extraordinary:
- Registered with the Indiana Department of Education, IDOE.
- The only registered ministry in Porter Country to earn a Level 3 rating in Indiana’s Quality Rating and Improvement System, Paths to Quality, certifying quality learning and school readiness.
- The only Porter County preschool to be named an ISTAR Kindergarten Readiness Program site.
- 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, Health Linc, 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!
- Encourages diversity – 20% of our children live in homes where multiple languages are spoken; 45% of our children represent a racial or ethnic minority.
- Cares for the community – 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 to those who qualify, allowing parents to continue their employment or schooling in the community, aiding in their financial security.
- Thanks in part to the United Way of Porter County, Porter County Community Foundation, and Tri Kappa, in addition to 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 program.
Scholarship Assistance
Scholarships are available based on family size and income. For more information, please contact Amy Osburn at aosburn@hilltophouse.org.
CCDF State Childcare Vouchers
We accept the Childcare Development Fund vouchers! We also provide assistance in signing up for the FSSA’s CCDF waitlist. For more information, please contact Amy Osburn at aosburn@hilltophouse.org.
Weather-related News
During the school year, Hilltop follows the judgement of Valparaiso Community Schools for closures and delays for inclement weather. Announcements regarding weather-related changes is available at cancellations.com, on Hilltop’s Facebook page, and through our text messaging system.
Kindergarten-Readiness Provides Children with the Tools to Succeed
Hilltop’s Kindergarten-Readiness Program 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.
Warm, Individualized Care
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.
Our Staff
- 85% of our teaching staff have over 20 years of individual teaching experience. All Lead Teachers are licensed and/or degreed in the field of Education.
- Community Connection – Hilltop children are fortunate to benefit from so many dedicated volunteers. In fact, some of our volunteers have been with us since our opening in 1995. Philanthropic groups, such as Tri Kappa and Kiwanis, also add to the literacy development by spending time reading with our children.
- Teaching while Learning — Our proximity to Valparaiso University, Ivy Tech Community College, and Purdue University Northwest is also a tremendous advantage as our children enjoy the interaction 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!
Affiliations
