The Early Learning Center utilizes the MSDE approved Creative Curriculum® in which students learn through creative and active teaching strategies. Creative Curriculum® goes beyond rote learning and focuses on big ideas, interesting projects, and individual students' passions and needs. The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool is based on six fundamental beliefs:

1. The value of play as a vehicle for learning.
2. The importance of helping children to develop social competence.
3. The vital role of the teacher in connecting content and learning.
4. The benefits of building a partnership with families.
5. A belief that all children, including those with special needs, can thrive in an appropriate classroom.
6. The importance of linking curriculum and assessment.

We participate in Maryland EXCELS – a quality rating and improvement system for child care and early education programs that meet nationally recognized quality standards. Children’s first five years lay the foundation for the rest of their lives. These early years have a major impact on how children succeed in kindergarten, in school, and in their lives. Choosing child care and early education for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. You will consider the cost, convenience and location of a program, but will you consider the most important factor – quality? Your child deserves to be in a quality environment that engages with families, is sensitive to each child’s individual skills and culture, and promotes a love of learning. Maryland EXCELS helps families find high quality child care and early learning programs that fit theirs and their children’s needs.

In addition to our regular curriculum we offer extra activities such as:

Monthly Spirit Days
Scholastic Book Fairs
Family Fun Nights
Fall and Spring Field Trips
Lunch Bunch
Kids Night Out

The Harford Community College Early Learning Center provides a nurturing, caring, safe and developmentally appropriate environment for our children of all abilities. We utilize MSDE curriculum that will ensure that our children are well prepared for the next step in their educational journey. Our goal is to encourage children to develop emotionally and intellectually while gaining a positive self-image. Our teachers, staff, and families will work together to provide a cohesive learning environment. Our teachers and staff support all learning activities that encourage problem solving and critical thinking. We believe that the children should have frequent opportunities to make choices throughout the day based on their interests. Our teachers use positive reinforcement and establish reasonable guidelines in our classrooms.

All children are provided with the same opportunities to engage and interact with their peers and teachers on a daily basis. Our schedule provides the opportunities for teacher-directed activities and child-initiated activities in their primary language. Our family’s social and cultural influences are continuously included in our instruction and will help cultivate an unbiased environment in our classrooms and society. The ELC believes in open communication with our families in order to provide the best outcome for your children.

Maryland State Department of Education (MDSE) Accreditation incorporates program standards, indicators and descriptions of best practices for prekindergarten children. Accreditation focuses on the administration, operation and family/community partnerships of classroom-based programs. By pursuing and successfully completing MSDE Accreditation, programs demonstrate their commitment to improving the performance of its services and to providing the highest quality programs to children.

Harford's Early Learning Center provides full day preschool for two-, three-, and four-year-olds.

OPTIONS
Full-Time Preschool: 4 or 5 days per week
Partial Week Preschool: 3 or fewer days per week

FULL DAY SCHEDULE

Arrival: Choose learning center activities.
Breakfast:
Opening exercises: using children’s names, calendar, and pledge
Introduction to the day’s activities:
Learning Centers/Small Group Activity: including art, music, dramatic play, science, social studies, math, or reading readiness
Outdoor play/activity room:
Lunch:
Nap or quiet time:
Snack:
Storytime, songs, finger plays:
Table time/Centers:
Dismissal:

NOTES:

• Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Breakfast, lunch, and snack provided. (*hot lunch provided 1-2 times a week)
• Affordable tuition with discounts for Harford Community College students/staff

Ages

Young 3-Year-Olds: Students who miss the Harford County regulated cut-off date. Students must be 3 by December 31
TUE & THU | AM Session: 9–11:30 AM

3-Year-Olds: (3-years old by SEP 1)
TUE & THU: AM Session: 9–11:30 AM
MON, WED, FRI: AM Session: 9–11:45 AM

4-Year-Olds: (4-years old by SEP 1)
MON, WED, FRI: 9 AM–12 PM
MON–FRI | 9 AM–12 PM

HALF-DAY SCHEDULE
Arrival: Choose learning center activities.
Opening Exercises: using children’s names, calendar, and pledge
Introduction to the day’s activities:
Learning Centers/Small group activity: including art, music, dramatic play, science, social studies, math, or reading readiness
Snack:
Storytime, songs, finger plays:
Outdoor play/activity room:
Dismissal:

Note: All children must be toilet trained.

For even more fun and personal enrichment for your child, consider one of our Preschool Plus classes.

Dynasty Sports Academy teaches the basics skills of soccer, lacrosse, basketball, Kids In Motion, and yoga. During dance class your child will learn the basics of ballet and jazz and perform a mini recital at the end of the session.

Monthly ELC Sprit Days: The ELC provides each child with a fun ELC t-shirt to wear the first Friday of each month and at all fundraisers and field trips.

Family Fun Events: The ELC has monthly events at various venues to help raise money for the preschool.

Fall and Spring Field Trips: ELC families enjoy fun trips to a local pumpkin patch and the Plumpton Park Zoo.

Kids Night Out: Once a month you're invited to join us for a fun filled evening of dinner, crafts, games, and loads of laughs.