Early Childhood
Welcome to the Early Childhood Program
Welcome to the Averyt Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) at Heathwood Hall. Truly, this is where it all starts with our youngest and very eager learners. As committed early childhood educators, we enjoy working with little children and their families as they start on their school journey. Our ECLC is the place where the “fire is lit” for each child to develop a love of learning and curiosity that will last for a lifetime. Being a center for three-year olds through kindergartners that is part of a school through 12th grade offers a unique continuity for each child. We get to watch our students grow into thoughtful, engaged, and compassionate young men and women.
Our faculty strives to create an early childhood environment that focuses on learning to actively engage children’s minds, bodies, and hearts. We are planning and teaching in a way that focuses on every aspect of a child’s development, and we want to know them for who they are personally and as learners. We employ the best brain-based learning practices to help each child experience new ideas and concepts with purpose and meaning. We know this kind of learning is best supported through a warm, personal connection with your child—loving him or her for who they are—and we nurture a caring relationship with each child as we watch them grow each day. They truly become “our children” too!
Our developmentally appropriate curriculum follows practices outlined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The teaching and learning is planned to stimulate thinking and develop a strong foundation through literacy, math, and science experiences. We expect for our students to be ready for Lower School expectations because they have been in the ECLC building strong cognitive skills, and positive social and learning habits.
We look forward to having you visit our ECLC. In our community of learners, each child is known, valued, and recognized for his or her unique character strengths and opportunities for growth. We view ourselves as partners with our parents during these formative years. Please come see us in action as we live out who we say we are each day. Helping to shape the hearts and minds of young children is a great joy and privilege for us!
Cheryl Gahagan
Head of the Early Childhood Learning Center
Academic Overview
Heathwood's Nursery (3 year-olds), Preschool (4 year-olds), and Kindergarten programs are among the finest in the region. Learning may look like child's play here, but the play is orchestrated by skilled teachers with a serious goal: the steady development of the social, emotional and intellectual skills that young children need to succeed in school.
The number of students in each class is limited, and a lead teacher
and associate teacher — most with advanced degrees —
help ensure individual care and challenge. Since young children
learn best by "doing," comprehensive study units feature
hands-on experiences coupled with small- and whole-group instruction.
These activities help students recognize and successfully manage
letters and numbers. Foreign language lessons begin with 3 year-olds
in Nursery School. Children also visit the library weekly, attend
music and art classes, work with computers, SmartBoards , and complete
individual and group assignments in writing and math.
The early childhood program at Heathwood Hall helps children learn the power
of language, self-discipline and cooperation in a nurturing atmosphere
that encourages them to develop good habits of the heart and mind.
Columbia, SC 29201