Preschool

What makes High Hopes

Inclusive Preschool Unique?

A Truly Home-Grown Experience

High Hopes is proud to be very different than many “cookie cutter” preschools and child care facilities. Because our center is not a franchise, but a non-profit organization, established by families in Middle Tennessee, we are able to tailor your child’s care specifically to your child’s needs. All decisions affecting High Hopes and your child are made by our professional child development experts, made up of our degreed teachers and highly-qualified pediatric therapy staff.

Facility Rating

In 2000 and 2001, Tennessee launched an optional program, in which child care facilities can choose to participate, to give parents more information about the quality of care their children receive. The Star-Quality Program is part of this program. Star-Quality recognizes child care providers who meet a higher standard of quality. Each star shows that the provider meets increasingly higher standards, with three stars being the highest rating possible.

Since the inception of Tennessee’s Star-Quality Program, High Hopes is proud to have been awarded 3 Stars each year.

Staff Qualifications

All classroom teachers are degreed and receive an average of 30 training hours a year (state requirement is 18 training hours per year) to care for and educate your child to the highest ability.

Curriculum

At High Hopes, we use a variety of developmentally-appropriate curricula to build a foundation of learning in each classroom, which are then integrated into one cohesive academic track for all students throughout their time in the preschool. From birth through age 6, our students are nurtured and educated on every developmental level. Using research- and routine-based curricula, our teachers form the foundation for their teaching concepts. By aligning learning goals with state developmental standards, and enriching our days whenever possible, our classrooms provide an environment that is both engaging and stable for our students.

What is Inclusion and Why is it Important?

Inclusion, at High Hopes, is the practice of educating and involving children with special needs in classrooms and everyday activities of their typically-developing peers. We offer an equal opportunity to all children, regardless of ability level, to receive the most beneficial academic, social, and life skills necessary for future success.

Our classrooms consist of 60% typically-developing students and 40% children with a special need, ranging from developmental delays and behavior struggles to Down syndrome, autism, and Cerebral palsy.

Inclusion helps to foster a role of leadership in many children, while encouraging others in their challenges, through positive peer encouragement. The Inclusive Preschool setting is beneficial for all children involved, as it models diversity and compassion, teaches that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and embraces the meaning of true friendship.

Class Sizes

For an optimum learning experience, High Hopes offers small class sizes, with lower student-to-teacher ratios in many of our classrooms than are required by the state of Tennessee, giving more individualized attention to your child.

Individualized Approach

Each child is given developmental screenings twice a year and a Kindergarten-readiness test before leaving for elementary school. These assessments help teachers to custom-tailor your child’s learning experience to their individual strengths and needs. Because of the developmental nature of our preschool program, every child is welcomed at their current developmental level. With the aid of experienced teachers and the availability of on-site pediatric therapists, each child is motivated and challenged to fulfill their full potential. Parent-teacher conferences are also available to all families, in order to evaluate your child’s progress.

In addition to nurturing academic needs, High Hopes also gives attention to the physical and emotional well-being of your child, establishing daily routines for the best practices in eating, napping, and potty training.

Safety

High Hopes values the safety of your child. Our building is always protected by a password-based security system to monitor who drops off and picks up your child. Only authorized persons have access inside the hallways of our school.

Open Door Policy

We encourage you to be a part of your child’s preschool experience and welcome you in visiting your child at any time. Open dialogue between teachers and parents is also encouraged. Each day, you will receive a Daily Note that details the events and activities that your child participated in, as well as, what the class is studying.

Flexible Scheduling Options

We offer a year-round program with an extended care option. In seven of our classrooms, 5-, 3- and 2-day options are available for enrollment ({M-F}; {M, W, F}; & {T, TH}, respectively). School day hours 8:30 am - 3:00 pm and extended care hours are 7:00 am - 6:00 pm. Our Pre-K classroom operates under a different schedule, specially designed to prepare students for kindergarten. Please call 615-661-5437 for any questions you may have regarding High Hopes’ Operating Schedule.

Enrichment Activities

High Hopes seeks to prepare your child for future success through a broad range of experiences. Supplemental enrichment activities, available for an additional fee, include Do Re Play (a weekly music class) and gymnastics. All children may participate in our Special Olympics Young Athletes Program, which introduces children to active play and sports skills to build a foundation for lifelong health. Once your child reaches the Pre-K classroom, Enrichment Activities are built into the day and designed to expand young students’ world view, cultural awareness, and extracurricular abilities, including but not limited to: Fitness, Music, Cooking, Computer Technology, World Cultures, and Art.

How to Get More Information
For more information about the High Hopes Preschool, call 615-661-5437 or email admissions@highhopesnash.org. Our staff will be happy to arrange a tour of our facility and take time to discuss with you your child's individual needs and goals.

High Hopes admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.