Early Learning Center
NOW ENROLLING ALL AGES!
A BrightStars, 4-star rated safe, educational, and imaginative place for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years to learn and grow.
Why Choose Federal Hill House Early Learning Center?
Federal Hill House (FHH) Early Learning Center’s teachers and staff provide a safe, nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment for your child. With over 135 years of experience serving the community, we are committed to offering high-quality early childhood education that supports the holistic growth of every child.
Using a wraparound approach, we work hard to empower children and families to have the resources they need for a happy and healthy life. The first five years are critical to a child’s development—supporting families today means investing in their future success.
Here’s why families trust us…
Comprehensive, Research-Based Curriculum
We implement The Creative Curriculum—the #1 Ranked Preschool Curriculum—a research-backed, evidence-based program that provides long-lasting learning opportunities and supports the development of the whole child. This curriculum focuses on key areas such as:
- Social/Emotional Development – Building independence, self-confidence, and self-control
- Physical Development – Enhancing motor skills and healthy habits
- Cognitive Growth – Encouraging problem-solving, creativity, and curiosity
- Language Skills – Developing strong communication abilities

Additionally, we utilize RI Early Learning & Development Standards (RIELDS) and Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ®-3) to observe, track, and assess your child’s progress, ensuring personalized support for their learning journey.
These standards are intended to be appropriate for all children, including multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and children who are typically developing – recognizing that all children may meet these goals in their own way and at their own pace.
Evidence shows that the earlier development is assessed—the greater the chance a child has to reach their potential.
Dedicated Programs for Every Age Group
Our Early Learning Center offers programs tailored to meet the unique developmental needs of each child:
- Infants (6 weeks–18 months) – A nurturing environment that fosters early growth
- Toddlers (18–36 months) – Exploration-driven learning experiences
- Preschool (3–5 years) – Preparing for kindergarten readiness
- After-School Care – Enrichment programs that support working families with school-age children
Family Support Team – Our dedicated, bilingual Family Support Team is here to walk alongside you on your parenting journey. Certified in the Parents as Teachers program, our compassionate staff is ready to support families with children of all ages. Whether you need help accessing childcare assistance, public benefits, or referrals to vital services like Early Intervention and Child Outreach, we’re here to connect you with the resources you need. We’ll guide you to valuable support within Federal Hill House and throughout the community, offering developmental and behavioral assistance when needed. You’re not alone—we’re here to help every step of the way.
Structured Daily Routines
Our engaging daily schedules include:
- Outdoor play and exploration
- Creative and hands-on learning activities
- Rest periods to recharge (Early Learning Center Only)
- Social interaction and cooperative play
We ensure children are engaged, learning, and having fun every day.
Teacher-Child Ratios
At FHH, we maintain optimal teacher-child ratios to ensure individualized attention and support for every child:
- Infants (3 months -18 months): 1 teacher for every 4 children
- Toddlers (18-36 months): 1 teacher for every 6 children
- Preschool (3-5 years): 1 teacher for every 9 children
These ratios comply with state regulations and best practices, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
Intergenerational, Multicultural Learning Environment
Additionally, due to our unique model of providing services for our community at every stage of life, FHH regularly has AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparents, volunteers, and interns from both high school and college in the classrooms. They provide additional positive, one-to-one interaction with your child and are not considered within our teacher-child ratios.
They have had full national background checks and are cleared to be in the center. Their responsibilities are limited and they are never left alone with the children. Here are some examples of how Foster Grandparents and other volunteers will engage with your child:
- Read or tell stories
- Engage the children in songs, rhymes, or games
- Assist children in developing their social and emotional skills
- Engage with children through play, art, or other activities
- Assist in developing literacy & language skills, numbers, colors, and shapes
- Assist in serving meals – each class has a snack and a meal served family-style
- Assist in keeping the classroom orderly, safe, and clean
Commitment to Health & Safety
Your child’s safety and well-being are our top priorities. We adhere to rigorous health and safety guidelines, including:
- Daily health checks upon arrival
- Strict illness and exclusion policies
- Nut-free environment with allergy management plans
- Regular emergency drills and compliance with state licensing regulations
Nutritious Meals Provided Daily
As a participant in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), we provide healthy meals and snacks (or formula as appropriate) at no extra cost to families.
Our meals meet USDA guidelines, ensuring balanced nutrition to support your child’s growth and development. Meals can also accommodate special dietary restrictions (i.e., allergies, religious needs, etc.).
Inclusive & Supportive Environment
We embrace diversity and provide an inclusive setting for children of all abilities. Collaboration with community partners allows us to offer specialized support services, including:
- Early Intervention Programs
- Special Education Services
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) environment
Our warm environment provides a space where children develop a strong sense of confidence and self-esteem. Fostering learning through creative play, we prepare children, emotionally and academically, to enter Kindergarten with confidence and enthusiasm to learn—building a solid foundation for continued education. Using this approach, children learn individual respect for cultural differences and community awareness, too!
Positive Behavior Guidance
Our approach is modeled on Conscious Discipline, an evidence-based method that fosters children’s emotional regulation, problem-solving, self-control, and independence. Our caring educators provide:
- Positive reinforcement strategies
- Redirection techniques
- Calming spaces for emotional support

Toilet Learning Support
We understand toilet learning is an important milestone for young children and their families. At FHH, our educators work closely with parents to create individualized toileting plans that align with each child’s readiness. Our approach includes:
- Positive reinforcement to encourage independence
- Regular bathroom reminders and routines
- A supportive, patient, and encouraging environment
- Open communication with parents to ensure consistency at home and school
Our goal is to make the toilet training experience stress-free and successful for both children and families. The Family Support Team is available for potty training help at home.

We believe parents are partners in their child’s education. Through our ProCare Engage App, you will receive daily updates on:
- Attendance and daily activities
- Meal plans and rest schedules
- Classroom announcements and newsletters
- Diaper and toileting habits
We also offer open-door policies, regular conferences, and family engagement events to ensure you stay connected with your child’s learning journey.
Affordable Tuition & Financial Assistance
We strive to make quality childcare accessible to all families by accepting Rhode Island’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and other financial aid options. Our flexible tuition plans accommodate both full-time and part-time care needs. Our auto-pay program makes it easy to keep up with weekly payments, including tuition and CCAP co-pays.
Convenient Hours & Location
We understand the needs of working parents and offer extended hours from 7:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., Monday through Friday.
We ask that children enroll for no more than nine hours unless there are extenuating circumstances, which can be discussed with our director for possible accommodation.
Our main campus is conveniently located at:
9 Courtland Street
Providence, RI 02909
Commitment to Quality
We are dedicated to providing the highest quality care and education for your child. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in everything we do:
- Proud Participants in BrightStars Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (TQRIS) – We’re honored to hold a 4-star rating, demonstrating our dedication to high standards in early childhood education.
- Ongoing Staff Development – Our team is continually growing and learning through participation in TEACH and apprenticeship programs, ensuring they stay at the forefront of best practices in early education.
- Continuous Learning – We invest in our educators by providing three annual professional development days and monthly staff meetings to encourage collaboration and growth.
- Commitment to Excellence – Every staff member completes at least 20 hours of professional development annually, keeping their skills fresh and aligned with the latest in early childhood education.
- Personalized Growth Plans – Each team member follows an Individual Professional Development Plan, tailored to their unique strengths and career goals, so they can provide the best possible care for your child.
We believe that by investing in our team, we are investing in your child’s future.

Join the Federal Hill House Family Today!
Choosing the right early learning center is one of the most important decisions you can make for your child. At Federal Hill House, we are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment where your child can thrive.
Contact us today to schedule a tour and learn more about our programs!
📧 Email: earlylearningcenter@federalhillhouse.org
📞 Phone: (401) 421-4722
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