Early Childhood Experiences Set the Tone for Lifelong Learning and Success

The Case for Investing in Private School in the Early Grades

The early years matter. While parents may decide to wait and make the private school education investment in the later grades, there is considerable benefit to starting this journey sooner rather than later. The right match during the foundational years will prepare your child for greater success in school and in life. 

It is never too early to begin laying the groundwork for lifelong academic, social, and emotional success. According to the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), strong foundational skills translate into better academic performance. With the right developmental skills, students are better prepared to take on academic challenges in the later grades. Studies by the University of Pennsylvania and the Brookings Institute indicate that early childhood programs that focus on executive function and social-emotional health contribute to a student’s future success. 

Building Foundations for Success Early 

Most people would agree that listening with empathy, sharing resources, contributing ideas, and accepting alternative approaches to resolve a problem are very desirable traits for a work colleague. Hutchison’s Early Childhood programs focus on these same character traits in age-appropriate ways. 

“Learning to be resilient and working in community to solve a problem looks different when you are four, but the end goal is the same,” said Elizabeth Jordan, Hutchison Early Childhood Head and Class of 1986 alumna. “It may be regrouping after an early frost stuns the crops on the farm or collaborating to program a robotic worm to go from point A to point B. We look at it as the early childhood version of what we want every Hutchison girl to strive to become.” 

Hutchison’s Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum weaves critical skills development throughout the school day. As girls progress to the next grade and beyond, they revisit the same traits that they first learned in Early Childhood: 

• Focus and Perseverance: Early childhood is the time when girls learn to focus their attention, pursue an interest, and respond to challenges.
• Communication: Learning to clearly express ideas and emotions is an important skill for successful academic discussions and teamwork in later grades.
• Making Connections and Organizing Ideas: Girls make connections between what they observe and what they know, organizing their thoughts in a logical way. 
• Collaboration: Learning how to live in community and collaborate on shared goals is at the heart of our Early Childhood program. 
• Strategic Thinking: Girls learn simple cause and effect and understand how curiosity, imagination, and resilience get results.

A Holistic Approach to Measuring Success

Jordan says these developmental skills are not measured by traditional tests, but teachers track each girl’s growth and confidence, nonetheless. 

“I tell parents that we don’t use tests in Early Childhood, but that doesn’t mean we are not evaluating your child. We are assessing a girl’s growth all day, every day,” said Jordan. “Developmental skills are nurtured throughout the school day in ways that are natural, engaging, and meaningful. Our teachers are actively observing and guiding each girl’s progress on a daily basis, helping them grow in ways that will be crucial for future learning.”

When evaluating the merits of investing in a private school education beginning in early childhood, it’s helpful to take the long view and reframe the return on investment. Try to envision what skills your inquisitive three-year-old will need in the future to navigate through her academic journey and into adulthood.