Hilltop will join over 120 providers in providing high-quality, affordable preschool to children across the City of Seattle. 

Seattle, WA – Published on Mar 9th, 2021 – Hilltop Children’s Center and Educator Institute has been accepted into the Seattle Preschool Program (SPP). Hilltop, a reggio-inspired preschool, afterschool program, and early learning professional development institute, has served Seattle’s children and families since 1971, while also providing equity-focused training and consulting through our Educator Institute since 2013.

“Over the last 50 years, and certainly since I have became the Executive Director 18 months ago, we have gone through a tremendous amount of growth and change. Part of that change has been an internal examination of some of our policies and structures that have been exclusive. As a community, we realized that for too long, we haven’t been able to provide high-quality education to everyone and set out on a course to change that. Becoming a SPP provider is that next step in becoming an inclusive organization – one that allows us to open up our doors to all children. We are excited to use our philosophy of child-centered, emergent curriculum, with children from all backgrounds. I can’t wait to see what artist, scientist, thinker, and social activist comes through our door!” said Darline Guerrero (she/her), Hilltop’s Executive Director. 

“This is an amazing day. I feel so honored and blessed to be part of a community who doesn’t just say they want to be inclusive, but actively seeks to dismantle the barriers that prevents it in being so. Joining the city wide effort in dismantling the barriers that adversely affects Black, Brown, Indigenous and other communities of color along race and class lines is a momentous step into truly living out our values and I’m excited to be a part of this journey of self-growth, organizational growth, and the greater cultural revolution happening in our community” added Michael Browne, Hilltop’s Senior Community Engagement Manager. 

Hilltop will begin as a SPP provider beginning Fall 2021. As a Seattle Preschool Program provider, Hilltop will support educators in meeting the needs of all children through coaching, ongoing curriculum training and data analysis that uses a racial equity lens. 

“Being a SPP provider allows us to continue to approach our work through a whole system approach. As in, we aren’t just supporting children but families as well. Working closely with caregivers to meet their family goals whether it’s through material support, instrumental supports, or support for their children’s health and education is a dream come true ” said Alfonso Campos, Hilltop’s Senior Family Resources and Engagement Manager. 

“Having courageous conversations about diversity and equity with young children is important but is hard to do if we aren’t a race and class conscious organization ourself” said Rose, an Educator at Hilltop. “We can’t continue to communicate the importance of this work and lend institutional support to others in the field if we aren’t doing the internal work within our own walls. Being a part of SPP helps to hold us accountable in achieving that. I’m excited to open up our doors to new families, build community with others, and work to create an anti-bias, anti-racist community for all.”  

Hilltop Children’s Center and Educator Institute is honored and excited to be part of this new endeavor and looks forward to working in partnership with the city and various other stakeholders. 

For more information on how to register your child for a spot in one of our SPP classrooms, please visit http://www.seattle.gov/education. If you’re interested in registering your child in one of our non-SPP classrooms, please email us at registrar@hilltopcc.org  

For more information about Hilltop Children’s Center and Educator Institute visit www.hilltopcc.org
For more information about Hilltop Educator Institute visit www.hilltopcc.com/institute/