Early Childhood (2-4 Year Olds)

Satisfying the Curious Mind

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Connecting Ideas Through Play

Hutchison’s Early Childhood (EC) program celebrates intellectual curiosity. Our teachers encourage the girls' inquisitive nature to drive the learning process.

The Early Childhood curriculum responds to girls’ interests through learning centers that integrate different aspects of the curriculum in a developmentally appropriate environment. We help young girls build community and develop social skills in an environment where they feel safe and secure.

Following the Reggio Emilia style, teachers weave critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communications throughout their daily lessons, helping EC girls develop the skills that will set the foundation for a girl’s academic trajectory from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Elizabeth Jordan, Early Childhood Head

“We ask questions to find what interests the girls and then try to plan our classroom environment to foster those interests. We know that creates a more meaningful learning experience."

A secluded oasis of learning

Tucked away in the northwest corner of Hutchison’s lush campus, the Abston Early Childhood Center houses Little Hive (2-year-olds), Pre-Kindergarten (3-year-olds), and Junior Kindergarten (4-year-olds). The playground is nearby while frequent jaunts to other corners of Hutchison’s 52 acres offer a chance to explore and feel independent in a secure setting.

Early Childhood

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Elizabeth Jordan

Early Childhood Head
Janie Baker

Early Childhood Coordinator

In the News

Forecast: Curiosity! Little Hive Girls Explore the Weather

Little Hive teachers Ms. Hollingsworth and Ms. Aguilar followed our youngest girls’ interest in the weather to expand their scientific knowledge and various skills, from creativity to storytelling to fine motor skills.
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Little Hive Girls Build Their Own Winter Wonderland

While the weather outside is frightful, Ms. Hollingsworth and Ms. Aguilar’s Little Hive girls are staying warm and cozy in their own igloo built entirely from milk jugs.
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Neuroscientist, Hutchison Parent Talks Impact of Technology on Students

Parents heard from Eraina Schauss, Ph.D., one of the nation’s leading experts in the field of pediatric mental health, about the evidence that supports Hutchison’s new cell phone policy.
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Heart Surgeon Visits JK to Answer Questions About the Heart

Junior kindergarten girls are learning all about the heart, and they got to hear from a special visiting expert: cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon Dr. Ed Garrett, grandfather to June ’37.
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Early Childhood Teacher Explains the Benefits of Reggio Emilia Approach

Our girls arrive in early childhood equipped with tremendous potential for learning, and we believe that learning is more meaningful when their interests are explored.
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Hutchison Alumna Shares Animal Bone Collection with JK Girls Studying Fossils

JK girls aren’t scared of these bones! They were fearless and loved being scientists as they took a closer look at the animal bone collection of Lauren Pharr Parks ’02, alumna and mom to Patty Mae ’36.
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Experience

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Life at Hutchison

Learn more about the Hutchison experience and why a girl's school is your daughter's best opportunity to excel.

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Serious Play

Self-awareness, taking turns, and being kind… EC teachers weave these lessons into the curriculum to instill, at an early age, the confidence, selflessness, and leadership skills that are hallmarks of a Hutchison education.

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An Important Investment for an Important Foundation

The pillars of our EC education are creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Yes, critical thinking happens in preschool.

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Life on the Big Girl Campus

EC girls enjoy exploring the campus. This year, girls are learning some engineering basics on their weekly visits to the Crain Center construction site.

Real Hands-On Learning
Hands-on learning translates to memorable learning. Each year, JK girls dissect a sheep’s heart as part of a unit on hearts.

Pedaling for a Cause
The St. Jude Trike-a-Thon is an EC tradition. Hutchison is among the top fundraisers in the country, and girls learn an invaluable lesson in community service.