Hampton Preschool and Early Learning Center’s (HPELC) overall program follows the Developmentally Appropriate Practices Guidelines established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children(NAEYC) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).

The curriculum is integrated, meaning every activity is set up to incorporate learning in all areas of development (intellectual, language, physical, social, and emotional).  Our work with children is greatly influenced by the Italian Reggio Emilia approach to Early Child-hood Education, NCDPI Foundations for Preschool Children, and the Creative Curriculum Guide for Preschool Children. Emphasis is placed on helping children develop awareness and understanding of their own feelings and how to express those feelings within acceptable means.  Even very young children learn that they are free to make choices as long as they stay within the limits of consideration for people and things.  Children will learn to use their intellectual and creative abilities and apply them to future learning tasks.

HPELC enrolls children ages six weeks to five years old in three mixed-age classrooms; infant/toddlers, two- to young three year-olds, and preschool. We believe that combining ages in the classrooms is beneficial to all the children. The younger children learn from the more-able peers, and the more advanced children benefit from serving as “teachers” or helpers to the younger or less-able children.