Curriculum

Not every bear is brown ... at Hickory Valley Preschool, we encourage a high level of individual creativity and respect the fact that each child matures at his or her own pace.  We have dedicated ourselves to the role as guardian of our children’s future.  Careful observation, guidance and respect for a child’s own ideas are key to nurturing a child’s natural inquisitiveness and inherent thirst for knowledge.

Our goal is to fully implement The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool into our program by the end of 2008.  This program translates new research and theory from the field of early childhood education into a practical, easy-to-understand approach to working with children and their families.  The Creative Curriculum enhances social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.

Hickory Valley Preschool and its staff are currently participating in the self-study program for NAEYC national accreditation. We know that the advantages of living in a small town far outweigh the challenges and intend to make Hickory Valley the first nationally accredited Preschool in Colleton County.

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Daily Routine

Hickory Valley Preschool believes that a stable and predictable routine makes children feel safe and at ease.  We open at 7 o’clock each morning.  The day begins in the Lobby where children say good-bye to their parents, eat breakfast and play together quietly. 

At 8:30, we move to our classrooms where the children enjoy ample time for role-playing and exploration in the various classroom centers. Circle Time, where we read, sing and sit together with the children, begins at 9:00.  Extracurricular classes like Kindermusik International, Creative Movement or Karate begin at 9:15.  Otherwise, Circle Time is followed by Dramatic Play, where the children have guided, supervised play time in Hickory Valley’s numerous learning centers (sand and water, library, art center, building blocks, puzzles and games, and many more).  There is a snack at 10:00 a.m. and then we all go outside to enjoy the South Carolina sunshine until lunch at 11:30 a.m.

Quiet Time, for resting or playing quietly, begins after lunch and goes until 3 o’clock when the children get another snack.  Weather permitting; the children spend the rest of the afternoon playing outside until their parents pick them up.

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Special Needs

Every child is special, but some children need a little extra tender loving care to help them cope successfully in today’s world.  Hickory Valley Preschool welcomes the opportunity to provide these children a safe harbor where they can learn and grow at their own pace.  We are committed to giving these children the care they require as well as a place where they can safely and socially interact with their peers.  This social interaction provides elemental emotional experiences for both children and adults in the areas of acceptance, tolerance and consideration.

Hickory Valley Preschool works in close collaboration with local special services to ensure that your child receives the best educational support available.  Each child will be evaluated and integrated into our daily routine on an individual basis.  Should your needs exceed the care capacity of our staff, we are dedicated to helping you find the best solution for your child’s care.

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