In a world that is ever changing, consistency and attention are precious and lacking—particularly in the upbringing of children. For more than four decades, Hitchcock Woods Early Learning Center in Boardman, Ohio has provided families with a foundation for high-quality early childhood education. Since its doors first opened in 1983, the center has nurtured more than 1,250 children through their earliest and most foundational years.
A Legacy of Learning and Love
At the core of Hitchcock Woods’ long-lasting success is a basic fact: experience counts. Few schools can boast the extent of experience seen here. With employees working here for as much as 40 years, Hitchcock Woods offers a secure, loving atmosphere in which children can feel safe, cared for, and able to develop.
This type of long-term commitment is an exception to the rule in early childhood education, where the national average turnover rate of childcare workers is 30-40% every year (Source: Center for the Study of Child Care Employment). Hitchcock Woods bucks that pattern, giving children the unusual stability that leads to trust and emotional growth—elements shown to spur long-term academic achievement.
Supporting Children from Cradle to Middle School
Hitchcock Woods is more than a preschool. It’s an integrated learning center that services children from 6 weeks through 12 years, with programs that develop in tandem with every phase of growth:
Infant and Toddler Care (6 weeks – 3 years)
Preschool Readiness Programs
Chartered Kindergarten, licensed by the Ohio Department of Education
Before & After School Programs
Summer Enrichment Camps
Their Chartered Kindergarten curriculum is unique in the area for its small class sizes, one-on-one instruction, and adherence to state learning standards. National Education Association research points out that students in small classes perform better academically and socially than students in larger classes.
A Trusted Partner for Over 1,250 Families
More than 1,250 children and their families in Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties have been greeted and served since the center opened. These parents don’t show up for childcare—they return again and again to the sense of community and reliability that the center fosters daily, year to year.
NIEER writes that children attending high-quality programs are more apt to:
Show higher test scores
Graduate from high school
Possess better emotional regulation and social skills
Earn more as adults
These results aren’t mere statistics—they’re embodied in the success stories of Hitchcock Woods alumni, many of whom come back as parents to enroll their own children.
A Whole-Child Approach to Enrichment
Hitchcock Woods feels that early learning is more than ABCs and 123s. Their curriculum develops social-emotional intelligence, physical skills, creative expression, and problem-solving—all in a structured, supportive environment.
Particular focus is given to:
Play-based learning, shown to increase retention and curiosity
Outdoor discovery, developing motor skills and a sense of nature
Seasonal programs and enrichment activities, keeping children active and engaged throughout the year
Parents are made an integral part with regular progress tracking, teacher–parent open lines, and parent engagement activities—a true collaboration on the child’s education process.
Conclusion: Where Experience Meets Excellence
As Hitchcock Woods marks more than 40 years of service, its influence only expands—one child, one family, one moment at a time. In a profession where quality can be transitory, Hitchcock Woods is a gold standard: a location where decades of commitment, child-centered learning, and community confidence converge.
For parents searching for more than a daycare—an away-from-home experience—Hitchcock Woods Early Learning Center is still the best-of-breed option among Ohio’s early childhood providers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What are the age ranges allowed to enroll?
A: Students aged 6 weeks to 12 years.
Q2: Is Hitchcock Woods licensed as an education center?
A: Yes, their Kindergarten program is licensed by the State of Ohio with a charter under the Ohio Department of Education at the state educational level.
Q3: How many children has the center served?
A: More than 1,250 children throughout the tri-county area since 1983.
Q4: Are enrichment and seasonal programs offered?
A: Yes! The center provides summer camps, before/after school care, and special enrichment programming year-round.
Q5: What makes Hitchcock Woods different from other learning centers?
A: Their 40-year history, long-tenured staff, and well-rounded early learning philosophy make them singularly qualified to serve whole-child development.
Resources
Hitchcock Woods Early Learning Center – About Us
https://hitchcockwoodsctr.com/about-us/
Ohio Department of Education – Early Learning Programs
https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning
National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER)
http://nieer.org/
National Education Association – Small Class Size Benefits
https://www.nea.org/
Center for the Study of Child Care Employment – Workforce Data
https://cscce.berkeley.edu/
Zero to Three – Building Early Relationships
https://www.zerotothree.org/
