Age 2 - 14
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Nurturing children from two years old through Pre-Kindergarten, Early Learning Academy, located nearby Hilldale's main campus, fosters cognitive and social growth through hands-on and academic learning. Children explore their interests, build independence, and develop essential skills while igniting lifelong curiosity.
Our youngest learners engage in fun, brain-boosting activities that challenge them while fostering creativity, curiosity, and a love of learning.
Children gain confidence as they develop independence, express needs, and build connections, strengthening social-emotional skills for lifelong learning and wellbeing.
Our youngest learners begin their multilingual journey at age 2, with weekly Mandarin lessons that spark curiosity and support growth in both Mandarin and their home language.
Our youngest learners explore bright, welcoming spaces designed to inspire creativity, build independence, and support every stage of early development.
Children thrive with our dedicated educators, who nurture their unique strengths through patience, creativity, and hands-on support in every milestone.
Our youngest learners enjoy care, learning, and supervision from 4:00 to 6:00pm, with afternoon STEAM activities and delicious snacks included.
Our admissions process is simple and personalized, with our team guiding you every step of the way to ensure the best fit for your child.
Our curriculum is designed to "feed the brain" with fun, engaging activities. Using the Saxon curriculum "I Wonder, I Discover, and I Explore" we challenge children while fostering creativity and curiosity.
Sparking a lifelong love of language
Children immerse themselves in language through playful and engaging activities that expand their vocabulary and communication skills. Through storytelling, reading aloud, nursery rhymes and songs, they develop listening, phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension and fine motor skills. These early experiences set the stage for a love of reading and language.
Building strong foundations through play
Our youngest learners explore objects and shapes, discovering fundamental math concepts such as sorting, pattern recognition, and measurement. They begin to understand addition and subtraction in hands-on, meaningful ways. This playful exploration of numbers sets them on the path to becoming confident problem solvers.
Discovering the world and how it moves
Children gain an intuitive understanding of time and space through exploration and interactive activities. They learn to use time-related language and build awareness of the passage of time. Using simple maps and geographic activities, they begin to understand the world around them with confidence and curiosity.
Exploring, experimenting, and understanding the world
Children discover the wonders of the natural and material world through observation and experimentation. They explore key scientific concepts by making predictions, conducting simple experiments, and expressing their observations. This hands-on approach encourages critical thinking and ignites a passion for science and discovery.
Learning through rhythm, sound, and song
Children develop auditory skills and an ear for rhythm through music, supporting their phonemic awareness and language development. Whether singing songs, moving to different rhythms, or exploring various musical styles, they learn important social, cognitive, and memory skills that will benefit them in all areas of learning.
Expressing ideas through color, shape, and texture
Young learners express themselves through art, experimenting with various materials and techniques. This creative process strengthens fine motor skills while also fostering a deeper appreciation for artistic expression. As they reflect on their work, they develop their language skills and learn to articulate their creative thoughts.
Growing strong through movement and play
Students benefit from movement and physical play that help refine coordination, improve motor skills, and boost body awareness. Through both individual and group activities, they practice teamwork, social interaction, and emotional expression. These experiences contribute to healthy physical and emotional development.
Learning to connect, cooperate, and contribute
Students through structured group activities learn to manage their actions, collaborate with peers, and work toward shared goals. Emphasis on responsibility, self-discipline, and positive social interactions prepares them to thrive in both academic and social settings.
Building independence and lifelong habits
Children develop critical work habits such as organization, persistence, and self-reflection. They learn to follow steps, complete tasks independently, and evaluate their work. These skills form the foundation for a positive, proactive approach to future learning.
Asking questions, making connections, solving problems
Children develop critical thinking skills through engaging activities by exploring cause and effect, solving problems, and drawing conclusions based on evidence. This nurturing of logical thought helps them build the problem-solving skills necessary for academic success and beyond.
Each day at our Early Learning Academy in Colma is filled with learning opportunities for growth and exploration. While schedules differ across age groups, here's a glimpse of what takes place between lessons in our Early Learning Academy.
Begin the school day with indoor and outdoor extended care, filled with fun activities.
Snack time provides a quick break with healthy snacks and time to socialize.
Circle Time. Engage in interactive learning and hands-on exploration activities.
Explore and have fun during outdoor free play.
Enjoy a nourishing meal and socialize with peers during lunchtime.
Enjoy outdoor free play while half-day students are picked up.
Rest during nap and quiet time and recharge for the afternoon.
Refuel with a tasty afternoon snack before the afternoon activities.
Ignite creativity during circle time and hands-on activities.
Socialize and have fun during outdoor free play time.
Relax with a story and explore fun learning activities to end the day.
At Early Learning Academy - ELA, our youngest learners spark curiosity and develop social-emotional skills gaining independence. Through our early core learning pillars, they engage in an accelerated program, build connection with peers, and thrive in a multilingual environment, with progress carefully measured through observation.
Enjoy intentional learning that develops skills, supports each child's growth, and carefully measures their progress.
Gain essential life skills to thrive in learning and development.
Grow confidently in English and Mandarin while continuing to develop their home language.
Our youngest learners engage in meaningful experiences that nurture their curiosity and deepen their understanding. Each year builds upon the last, creating a solid foundation that leads to a purposeful Pre-Kindergarten program designed to help every child thrive. ELA achievement is measured through a skills and milestones checklist, with assessments conducted multiple times a year. After each evaluation, teachers meet with parents to discuss progress. The Pre-Kindergarten curriculum, guided by the Primary Grades Lead teacher and Head of School, ensures students meet the necessary benchmarks for admission to Hilldale’s Kindergarten, preparing them for success and a smooth transition into the next stage of their education.
Children grow in confidence as they develop independence, learn to express their needs, and build strong connections with others. Through everyday moments such as sharing, taking turns, and participating in group activities, they strengthen their social-emotional skills and build a foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing.
Starting at age 2, our youngest learners dive into a multilingual environment, beginning their Mandarin journey with a weekly lesson that ignites curiosity and foster language development. This approach empowers students to grow confidently in English, Mandarin and their home language, expanding their horizons and enriching their learning experience.
Early Learning Academy prepares children for Hilldale School. Conveniently located just a short distance apart, children can seamlessly progress into the next stage of their learning journey at Hilldale.
Veronica Vasquez
Director ELA
Aike Wong
ELA Educator
Coleen Bautista
Erlinda Meehlieb
Lakisha Barnes
Polly Chen
War-War Kyaw
Ms. Veronica has worked with children since 2002. She has a B.A. In Liberal Arts as well as a directors permit. She’s worked in state funded preschools as well as in a Montessori. She has taken those skills and applied them to create her own curriculum. She’s excited to bring some of those qualities to ELA.
Ms. Aike has been part of ELA since 1995. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from San Francisco City College and a Bachelor of Science in Physics. Ms. Aike works with the youngest learners in the Chicks classroom (ages 2–3). She believes that each child has unique qualities and that nurturing them with patience, love, and guidance is essential for growth and development.
Ms. Coleen holds a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from the Philippines and has completed 14 ECE units at Skyline College. She has three years of experience working with preschool students and is eager to continue growing and learning new skills. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Coleen enjoys hiking, camping, and playing musical instruments such as the guitar and piano.
Ms. Erlinda has been with ELA since 2011. She holds a B.S. in Mathematics and a Site Supervisor Permit through the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Ms. Erlinda believes in "learning through experience," encouraging children to develop creativity through hands-on activities. She also emphasizes teaching strong values to help create a positive and supportive learning environment.
Mrs. Lakisha Barnes values building strong relationships with her students’ families, believing it is key to their success. She holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Early Education and has over 11 years of experience in early childhood education. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her two sons.
Ms. Polly has worked in early education since 1995. She has experience with school-aged children, taught summer school, and discovered her passion for working with young learners while teaching kindergarten. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University. Ms. Polly is dedicated to nurturing young minds and fostering a love of learning.
Ms. War-War, (Wa-Wa) has been working with young children since 2010. She started as a volunteer at Jefferson School State Preschool in Daly City. She has a B.A. in Commerce and an Associate degree in Early Childhood Development. Ms. War-War works with the youngest of our students and enjoys this amazing stage because of all the milestones they will accomplish. She loves the wonder and innocence in their eyes and to see them develop into independent little people. Ms. War-War loves spending time with her twin boys and enjoys singing.
398 F Street, Colma, CA 94014
Students' unique learning needs are supported from the start. Begin a transformative journey with us, apply any time of the year.
Foster a love for learning from the start at Hilldale’s nurturing Early Learning Academy, located in Colma. Ask us about the admission process.
