Early Learning Center

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 throughout the year:

• Monthly Spirit Days
• Scholastic Book Fairs
• Family Fun Nights
• Fall and Spring Field Trips

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.

The Early Learning Center preschool is licensed, and now also accredited, through MSDE/Division of Early Childhood and provides a safe, nurturing environment and academic curriculum for children ages 2-5.

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, Harford's programs demonstrate commitment to improving the performance of our services and providing the highest quality programs to your children.

AGES
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 and snack provided. 
• 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 OCT 30
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.