Highland Early Learning Center

The Highland Early Learning Center provides a high quality care environment for all children. In collaboration with South Carolina First Steps, we will work to ensure that all children start school ready to reach their highest potential with engaged support from their parents, caregivers and community. We strive daily to do just that! We offer Creative Curriculum as a learning model and an active play center through which our teacher helps your child to learn.

The Highland Early Learning Center’s 4K program is available for eligible children who will be 4 years old on or before September 1st.

Families residing in Spartanburg with children who will turn 3 on or before September 1 of the upcoming school year have the opportunity to enroll in the 3k program.

For Children not yet eligible for our 3k program, the Pre-K Program serves children 6 months to 3 years

Important Documents: Enrollment Packet, Parent Handbook

For More Information Please Contact 864-308-1660 or email: bethlehemcenter@bethlehem.center

The Bethlehem Center serves as the parent organization for the Highland Early Learning Center. This center represents a return to the roots of the Bethlehem Center's initial community efforts, aiming to provide "quality care and early childhood education" opportunities for children in the Highland community. In the early 2000s, the Bethlehem Center managed daycare and early education services within its primary building, which extended to the space now renovated to house the HELC.

With the backing of two community collaborators, Barbara Manoski (Executive Director of Spartanburg First Steps) and Kesha Gray (formerly associated with the Mary Black Foundation), the team successfully secured funding from South Carolina First Steps. This funding facilitated the renovation of the former manager's office at Cammie Claget Apartments. The achievement of this endeavor was made possible through collective partnerships and the support of early champions like the City of Spartanburg (represented by Mitch Kennedy, Deputy City Manager) and Spartanburg Housing (headed by Mrs. Shaunte Evans, President, and CEO).

Despite the challenges presented by the tumultuous year of 2020, the construction was completed, and the Highland Early Learning Center welcomed its first students in August 2021, led by Mrs. Patrena Mims. A momentous occasion was the official dedication of the center, which took place on [specific date not provided], honoring the remarkable commitment and contributions of Mr. Leroy Jeter within the Highland community. An emblem commemorating this dedication now hangs in the lobby, serving as a testament to the ongoing work within the Highland community.

To date we have served almost 80 children. We have graduated two 4k classes and are currently enrolling for the 2023-2024 school year. 

In addition to this we currently hold a 4-star rating with Quality Counts which we earned in less than 2 years. We are excited and looking forward to serving your family at HELC!

THE HELC is a Quality Counts Center