Early Learning

- Image
- Image

About early learning

Early learning at HCES provides students with a safe, loving environment where they can begin their educational journey. Grounded in research-based best practices, the program focuses on the academic, social, emotional, and physical development of each child. Through hands-on exploration, guided instruction, and interactive play, children are encouraged to develop curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning. Daily language arts instruction is incorporated into the curriculum, focusing on letter/sound relationships to begin blending sounds into words and eventually gain the ability to read and write simple sentences. Daily mathematics instruction supports students as they reach proficiency in beginning math skills and concepts. As the year progresses, students are taught how to solve simple equations. Students are also exposed to counting money, identifying geometric shapes, and problem-solving. Social studies instruction focuses on history, geography, cultures, and civics. Science lessons allow students to investigate various topics through hands-on activities in the classroom and the STEM lab. Active learning is the focus, not homework and testing.

List of 1 items.

Meet Mrs. Proctor, our Director of Early Learning
Read More

Encouraging Children to Explore & Create

We promote growth in all areas of development – cognitive, social, emotional and physical - through child-centered classrooms and active learning. The preschool and kindergarten classrooms are inviting and engaging, encouraging independence and a love of learning in a safe and nurturing environment.

Our Kindergarten and Preschool programs focus on educating the whole child in a warm and loving environment.

About PK3 and PK4

Our Preschool program welcomes students in their earliest years at HCES. Our dedication to providing students a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment, fosters children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. The curriculum incorporates a balance of teacher-guided and child-initiated activities, promoting exploration in areas including language, math, science, art, and social skills. Children are encouraged to learn through play and active learning, making meaningful connections to the world around them.

About Kindergarten

Our Kindergarten program is designed to give children a strong foundation for academic and personal success. We focus on developing the whole child — intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically — in a warm, welcoming, and engaging learning environment.

Through a mix of hands-on activities, guided lessons, and play-based learning, children build essential skills in:

Literacy – including letter recognition, phonics, early reading, and writing
Math – exploring numbers, patterns, shapes, and problem-solving
Science & Discovery – observing, questioning, and experimenting with the world around them
Social Studies – learning about community, cultures, and cooperation
Social-Emotional Growth – practicing kindness, independence, and teamwork

Each day includes a balance of whole-group instruction, small group work, independent learning, and creative play. Our goal is to nurture curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning while preparing students for a smooth transition into first grade.

Child-Centered Classrooms

Teacher to student ratios in preschool and kindergarten are optimal providing many opportunities for individualized instruction to meet the differing needs of all learners. Each classroom has a degreed, experienced teacher as well as a qualified, experienced assistant. Special Area classes are offered in music, art, PE, Spanish, STEM & library. Spiritual growth and character development are fostered through weekly chapel experiences and guidance lessons.

Teacher to student ratios in preschool and kindergarten are optimal providing many opportunities for individualized instruction to meet the differing needs of all learners.

We do it differently here at HCES. Learning is done through play so by the time students reach the elementary grades, they are equipped not only with the academic tools, but also the social skills they need to be successful.