Hilltop Children's Center

"This is our third year at Hilltop and we grow more in love with the place each year. The staff are dedicated early childhood educators and advocates. It never ceases to amaze me how well they know my kiddo when we check in, either informally or during parent-teacher conferences. And the staff in turn always seems to value my role and what my experience brings to the conversation. But the real review is from my 3 year old - 5 stars! I don't know how I would have made it through these early years without Hilltop. I'm forever grateful to this community."

"I wanted to thank Hilltop for being consummately professional during this challenging time in education with all of the issues that have been with us these past few years. I believe that Hilltop has been a very positive experience for our family. And I’m deeply grateful for all the work that you all do for us on a daily basis. I know that while this Summer will be a fun one, my child will miss you all and classmates. My 3 year old child is continuing to express interest in learning to read, and we read books every day together. My child’s number recognition and ability to sequence is getting more accurate, and most importantly my child’s heart is developing into a noble one, empathetic, connected to artistic and nature beauty, compassionate and conscientious and I believe this is directly due to the influence and modeling show to her by her classroom teacher Bernadette as well as the assistant teachers and rest of the staff who interact with me and my child in professional and compassionate ways. I would highly recommend this pre-school program for those who find themselves needing or wanting a 5 day a week program for their children."

"Hilltop is no longer the reflective and intentional community it has been for years. There remain many exemplary educators, but turnover has been high under the current leadership. With COVID preventing families from entering the building, most of the changes have yet to be noticed. The Fremont location continues to offer full-day care while still unlicensed."

"After joined the waitlist, with $75 non-refundable fee, I don’t hear any updates at all. NOTHING! Even when I sent the follow up email after a few months, the reply was simply ‘ We are still full’. And another email I sent just got ignored. Compare to other preschools I signed up for waitlist, they gave me updates on the waitlist, and continuing sending latest status. I was really disappointed by Hilltop’s communication. It’s probably a popular school, but the arrogant and unprofessional attitude is a red flag to me."

"Authentically child-focused, natural environment and emergent curriculum. True to project-based Reggio-Emilia curriculum. Low student to teacher ratio, great admin support of teachers, teachers given lots of time for planning including working with mentors. Their new Institute provides in-house and guest speakers/workshops for teachers & families."