WELCOME TO OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below are answers to many frequently asked questions about Hilltop Preschool. If your question is not here, please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Click on any of the questions below to see the answer.

Where is Hilltop Preschool?

Hilltop Preschool is located at the corner of West Broad Street and South Terrace Avenue on Columbus’ west side. We’re inside Hilltop Lutheran Church (2473 West Broad) and our mailing address is 12 South Terrace Avenue, Columbus, OH 43204.

Where can I learn more about Hilltop Preschool?

Right here on our website or on Facebook Hilltop Preschool Columbus

How can I reach you?

Who’s in charge at Hilltop Preschool?

Who can come to Hilltop Preschool?

What age kids can come to Hilltop Preschool?

We welcome children who are 3, 4, and 5 years old.

How many kids are there? How many teachers?

The maximum number of children in Hilltop Preschool’s Pre-Kindergarten classes is 25. The maximum group size for three-year-olds is 12.

The State of Ohio says there must be 1 teacher for every 12 three-year-olds, and 1 teacher for every 14 four- and five-year olds. We provide a higher level of care and strive to have 1 teacher for every 7 children in all classes.

What days/times do you operate?

Hilltop Preschool is a part time preschool offering morning and afternoon classes. Morning Classes will operate from 8:20am – 11:30am Tuesday through Friday, and Afternoon Classes will operate from 12:30pm – 3:40pm Tuesday through Friday, for the full year.

Children enrolled in the Columbus Early Start program at Hilltop Preschool are eligible to attend 8:00am – 3:30pm.

How much does it cost to send my child to Hilltop Preschool?

Preschool tuition is based on annual household income. Verification of monthly income and family size is used to determine if a family is eligible according to the Federal Poverty Level for the current year.

All children of families who are at 100% of poverty or less are eligible to attend school at no cost. Visit our contact us page, or contact the office (614.279.9991) to learn more.

What does Hilltop Preschool do with and for my child?

We lead, teach, guide, love and prepare our students for Kindergarten and beyond.

These are our program philosophy and objectives:

Hilltop Preschool is dedicated to work with families to foster the full potential of every child. We nurture the whole child, with attention to his or her emotional, cognitive, physical, social, and creative development.

The Preschool engages children, 3-5 years old in a wide range of stimulating activities, including science, art, pre-reading, writing, pre-math, imaginative play, and small and gross motor skills to help each child acquire the skills and knowledge he or she will need to succeed in future years.

What do you mean by the “whole child”?

We believe building toward success is about much more than “smarts”! That’s why Hilltop Preschool staff works with parents and professionals to keep track of every child’s development – physically, mentally and emotionally.

Perhaps a child needs extra help in certain areas; maybe hearing is an issue or anger comes too quickly. Then we will provide referrals and additional support to be sure each child has the best possible chance for success in school and beyond.

Is it too late to register my child for Hilltop Preschool?

It’s never too late! We accept children all year ‘round. If we don’t have openings right away, your child will be on a waiting list. Please contact us

How do I register my child for Hilltop Preschool?

If you would like to register your child, please contact us. We will get back to you quickly to let you know if there is space (or to put your name on a waiting list) and to schedule a meeting with you.

That’s when we will answer all your specific questions and provide a number of forms for you to fill out. To complete the process, you will need several documents such as your child’s Birth Certificate, Shot Records, Verification of Income, Social Security card, etc.

In addition, your child will need a medical exam from a licensed physician within 30 days of admission.

How will I know how my child is doing?

We hold a parent conference is for each child three times during the preschool year.

In addition, parents may schedule an appointment at any time with a teacher or the preschool director to discuss additional concerns. Hilltop Preschool parents have unlimited access to the classroom, teachers and the director.

Can I be involved with my child at Hilltop Preschool?

All parents are welcome to join us at Hilltop Preschool! Parents have unlimited access to all areas of the building used for children during hours of operation.

Parents may attend family events, class parties and special luncheons or simply stop in and visit.

We also encourage you to join the Parent Advisory Committee.

What is the Parent Advisory Committee?

The Parent Advisory Committee is a wonderful opportunity to help the Preschool and get to know other parents at the same time.

This group assists teachers and the director in developing the preschool program. It plans for graduation and family events, participates in fundraising, etc.

Through this group, parents have raised the money necessary to buy new educational supplies and toys.

What are Hilltop Preschool’s breaks and holidays?

We close for four breaks:

  • 1st Summer break,
  • 2nd Summer break
  • Easter break
  • Christmas break

We also close for the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King Day
  • Presidents’ Day
  • Good Friday
  • Memorial Day
  • 4th of July
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving

Do you close for bad weather?

We follow Columbus City Schools for closings due to bad weather: whenever Columbus City Schools cancel for hazardous weather, Hilltop Preschool will also close.

Are meals or snacks provided?

Hilltop Preschool participates in the USDA funded Child and Adult Care Food Program. Snacks and meals are provided for each class. Children in morning classes have breakfast at 8:20am and lunch at 11:10am. Children in afternoon classes have lunch at 12:30pm and a snack at 3:15pm. Meals meet all childcare licensing requirements.

Can I bring in food for a birthday, etc.?

On occasions parents like to provide food for special activities such as birthdays and holidays. We welcome such support but, in order to protect children from food borne illness, we are only permitted to serve food that has been commercially prepared and packaged. In addition, all food must have an ingredient list to help us manage children with food allergies

What are those “stars” all about?

Currently Hilltop Preschool has three stars from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ Step Up To Quality program.

Step Up To Quality is Ohio’s quality rating and improvement system that recognizes licensed early learning and development programs that exceed the state’s health and safety licensing standards.