Welcome

Hilltop School is a Non-Profit Early Childhood Education program located in Bangor, Maine, dedicated to serving children ages 6 months through Pre-K. Since 1970, we have been providing high-quality early childhood education to the community and surrounding areas, building upon our commitment to supporting youth in Bangor since 1869.

For years, Hilltop has been a trusted Bangor Maine childcare where children come to learn, grow, build friendships, and develop a love of learning. Here at Hilltop School, we believe that early childhood is a time of wonder, growth, and endless possibilities.

At Hilltop, we understand that high-quality childcare in Bangor goes beyond simply providing a safe place for your child while you work. It’s about fostering meaningful relationships, ensuring consistency, nurturing development, and creating an environment where learning, exploration, and relationships flourish.

We value the trust you place in us as your choice for early learning in Bangor Maine and would be honored to partner with you in your child’s early education journey. Together, we can ensure your child feels supported, inspired, and ready to reach their full potential.

There's much to see here. So, take your time, look around, and explore everything we have to offer. We hope you enjoy our site and take a moment to drop us a line.

About Us

At Hilltop School, located in Bangor, Maine, we believe that every child is a unique individual and learner, and early education is the foundation where their curiosity, creativity, and potential begin to blossom. Through play, exploration, and nurturing care, we cultivate a lifelong love of learning that empowers children to grow, dream, and succeed in our programs.

As a nonprofit early learning center and a trusted Bangor Maine daycare, we put children before profit, so every resource goes directly back into our classrooms, teachers, and programs. It’s all heart—invested in creating the safest, healthiest, and most inspiring environment for children to thrive.

Mission Statement:

Since 1975, our non-profit organization has been dedicated to nurturing and empowering children in our community, laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Originally founded as an orphanage in 1869, we have transformed into a respected early childhood education center, offering high-quality, inclusive, and compassionate care as a leading Bangor Maine daycare option for children of all backgrounds. Our commitment to supporting each child's growth—emotionally, socially, and academically—shines through our play-based learning approach. With individualized attention, we foster curiosity and creativity, empowering young learners and their families in a safe, loving environment. As we honor our legacy of service, we strive to provide opportunities for every child to thrive and succeed, both in school and beyond. If you're looking for preschools in Bangor Maine, call today to set up a tour. We would love to share details about our programs and show you our beautiful historic building.

Our Philosophy and Curriculum:

Hilltop School in Bangor, Maine, embraces Piaget’s view that young children learn best through play. As Piaget wrote in 1973, "To understand is to invent." At our Bangor, Maine daycare, we believe that young children learn essential concepts not through direct instruction, but by constructing knowledge themselves during interactions with their physical surroundings and peers. This learning happens primarily through play. (Jones and Reynolds, 1992)

At our preschool in Bangor, Maine, young children engage in learning through doing, touching, experimenting, choosing, talking, and negotiating. Every experience is potential curriculum for young minds. Emergent curriculum is central to our approach, as it involves planning classroom activities based on the interactions between teachers and children. Both teachers and children contribute ideas to create engaging and enriching units of study.

By actively observing the children at play, Hilltop School educators gain insights into each child's developmental progress and the skills they are cultivating. Our teachers listen to the children's ideas and interests, integrating their curriculum goals with the children's needs in a responsive and creative manner. (Cadwell and Frye, 1997)

Leveraging the Early Childhood Learning Standards, our teachers assess each child's individual needs and abilities, planning activities that cater to these observations. A weekly curriculum update is provided for families.

In all classrooms at our Bangor childcare facility, children have the chance to learn, explore, create, and discover, with an emphasis on developing essential social skills such as sharing, taking turns, self-control, making friends, following directions, and problem-solving. Our teachers lay the groundwork for your child to excel in future academic settings.

Click here to see a description of our programs

Click here to learn about 9 features that make us unique.

Programs

Click here to learn about 9 features that make us unique.

Features

Ready to Enroll or Join the Waiting List?

Click here to learn about 9 features that make us unique.

Family Information- To Learn more about tuition rates and planned closures please visit our family information page by clicking below.

Enrollment

Family Information- To Learn more about tuition rates and planned closures please visit our family information page by clicking below.

Family Information

Click here to Meet Our Dedicated Early Education Staff

Family Information- To Learn more about tuition rates and planned closures please visit our family information page by clicking below.

Ready for a Career Change? Do you want to make a positive difference in the life of a child?

Meet Our Staff

Ready for a Career Change? Do you want to make a positive difference in the life of a child?

Family Information- To Learn more about tuition rates and planned closures please visit our family information page by clicking below.

Ready for a Career Change? Do you want to make a positive difference in the life of a child?

Employment Opportunities

Are you interested in joining our Board of Managers?

Are you interested in joining our Board of Managers to support one of the premier daycares in Bangor, Maine? We are seeking individuals with expertise in various areas who can contribute to the continued success of Hilltop School, a trusted name in childcare in Bangor. Board members are expected to attend bi-monthly meetings, held on the third Tuesday of each month via Zoom from September through May (with some in-person attendance possibly required). Additionally, members will serve on one committee and may occasionally volunteer at fundraising events to support our activities, such as our preschool programs in Bangor, Maine. Board terms last for three years, and this is a non-profit, volunteer position. If you are passionate about early childhood education and want to make a meaningful impact in the community, please send your letter of interest and resume to tgarrow@bangorhilltopschool.com.

Welcome

Hilltop School Bangor, ME: Quality Early Childhood Education

Welcome

About Us

Mission Statement:

Our Philosophy and Curriculum:

Click here to see a description of our programs

Click here to learn about 9 features that make us unique.

Click here to learn about 9 features that make us unique.

Click here to learn about 9 features that make us unique.

Click here to learn about 9 features that make us unique.

Click here to learn about 9 features that make us unique.

Ready to Enroll or Join the Waiting List?

Click here to learn about 9 features that make us unique.

Family Information- To Learn more about tuition rates and planned closures please visit our family information page by clicking below.

Family Information- To Learn more about tuition rates and planned closures please visit our family information page by clicking below.

Family Information- To Learn more about tuition rates and planned closures please visit our family information page by clicking below.

Family Information- To Learn more about tuition rates and planned closures please visit our family information page by clicking below.

Click here to Meet Our Dedicated Early Education Staff

Family Information- To Learn more about tuition rates and planned closures please visit our family information page by clicking below.

Ready for a Career Change? Do you want to make a positive difference in the life of a child?

Ready for a Career Change? Do you want to make a positive difference in the life of a child?

Family Information- To Learn more about tuition rates and planned closures please visit our family information page by clicking below.

Ready for a Career Change? Do you want to make a positive difference in the life of a child?

A glimpse into our program!

Help us raise money for our non-profit program!

Donate today!

Are you interested in joining our Board of Managers?