Highlands Community Child Development Center

Highlands Community Child Development Center (HCCDC) located at 89 Church Street in Highlands, NC opened two (2) new pre-school classrooms on February 8, 2023 at The Church of The Incarnation. The new location is referred to as HCCDC at The Church of The Incarnation and is a Five Star facility licensed by the state of North Carolina. The following information includes the new classrooms, students, families and businesses served. . Highlands Community Child Development Center (HCCDC) uses an age-appropriate curriculum selected for each age group and applies the early childhood education programs in individual lesson plans. Basic Skills development is augmented by programs in creative play, art, crafts and music appreciation. The Music Appreciation Program provides early childhood musical education to all children ages 1 to 5. HCCDCs programs are coordinated with the Highlands Public and Summit Charter Schools teaching staffs to ensure a smooth transition from the center into public or charter school.

HCCDC is the only state-licensed childcare center in Highlands and eastern Macon County providing services full time - 10 hours per day, 5 days per week for 12 months each year. The center is licensed by the State of North Carolina to serve 99 children from 8 weeks to 5 years of age. Enrollment for the full year of 2023 averaged 74 children for the year with normal seasonal variations. Fifteen children graduated in August and entered the area public and charter school systems. For the year, HCCDC provided services to 66 families represented by 126 parents and grandparents living in Macon, Jackson, and Rabun counties and working for 78 companies in and around Highlands. 22 children are from lower-income families who qualify through Macon and Jackson County Social Services for tuition support from the NC Child Care Subsidy Program. Approximately one-third of the children qualified for support in the form of free or reduced meals from the Federal Food Program (CACFP).

Additional services provided at the Center by Macon County agencies are speech and hearing therapy, nutrition and counseling for parents of children with special needs. The Center provides affordable, high-quality, preschool childcare and early childhood educational and social development in a safe and loving environment to all families regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin or financial ability. HCCDC currently has 3 special needs children enrolled. Current enrollment includes 9 Hispanic and 7 of Mixed Race. Additionally, we serve 6 Single Parent families. Communications with parents, potential clients, supporters and the general public have been expanded by establishing a website: highlandscommunitychildcare.org.