By Josette Grimley
Hobbit Hill Preschools began its new school year on Monday, August 15 with three locations — Shell Point, Lady’s Island and Mossy Oaks — offering education and care for infants through 5-year-olds and before and after school care and tutoring.
Celebrating its 14th year, Hobbit Hill has grown from one location with 70 children and 11 staff to serving more than 250 children with more than 40 staff. As an independent school system, it does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, sex, or special needs status.
<a href="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/School-HH_bus.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-2726" title="School-HH_bus" src="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/School-HH_bus-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Owner Shannon Erickson reports, “Because we care about our community, we have frozen our tuition rates for the past four years to assist families during this difficult economic period. Additionally, we will expand our hours of operation” (opening at 6:15 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m., Monday through Friday).
She said, “We care about our community and strive for excellence in our services. We understand that parents want  safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environments where their child can feel appreciated as an individual. Our focus on safety and protection of children entrusted to our care means that our buildings are secure and our staff trained with CPR/first aid and emergency preparedness procedures.
“Our focus on education means that we embrace South Carolina Early Learning Standards and Creative Curriculum and apply an eclectic mix of educational philosophies to meet various learning styles.”
Transportation is offered to and from several areas.
Field trips and many enriching experiences with parents after school are also offered.
Hobbit Hill has been voted “BEST” by various local newspaper awards for the past several years. “We are honored to serve Beaufort’s young children in a diverse, academically rich, safe, stable and stimulating environment,” said Erickson.
For more information, call 843-986-1090 or visit www.hobbithill.com.