It's a small world . . .
Kids on campus
Five young children ran behind their teacher in the top of a playground tunnel behind Hillop
"One, two, three, jump!" yelled the teacher as they hopped to the ground a foot below them. Meanwhile, a crowd of children gathered along the path, and in the distance (as one child dubbed them because of their resemblance to small, spotted ties) with sticks "I blew away," one child screamed in delight
"It blew away," one child screamed in delight as the small bug flew to safer territory.
INSIDE THE CENTER, some children munched on cheese and crackers in one room while others pretended to be plumbers, builders, housewives and cowboys in another.
These children are typical of the 130 youngsters who go to Hillop, behind Smith Hall, while their parents work.
The center, established specifically for the children of students, staff and faculty, provides activities that children enjoy, Joan Reiber, director of Hillton, said.
Swims, picnics, KU campus tours and field trips to hospitals, police departments and museums are all part of the children's activities, she said.
THE CHILDREN ALSO participate in educational exercises such as coloring, counting, singing and listening to stories, she said.
"We provide a caring and loving atmosphere
composed by institutional stimulation," the gold
coupled by intellectual stimulation," she said. The center also provides a certain amount of freedom for the children, which Reiber said was important to their development.
"My philosophy is that children should have a lot of freedom," Reiber said. "A child should be free to select and choose, experience anddiscipline. He should not be told everything he should do."
THAT FEELING IS shared by Pollyanne Beev, a certified teacher at Hillop.
"Let 'em go wild a little bit," she said as "one child cling to the耳 and others ran around
the room, climbing a treehouse or playing with toys.
Judy Wallhall graduated from the University of Kansas last spring with a bachelor's degree in psychology. she aids teachers during the year and teaches children in an area campus as they held onto ropes.
“It’s fun to go out and see the campus,” she said. “Sometimes we have a theme week like an occupation week where we take them on a post-graduation “Strong Hall or go to Robinson Gymnasium.”
Reiber said the programs had a lot of variety. "Our environment is planned with options," she said.
THE PARENTS, TOO, ARE provided several options for their children's schooling at Hilltop.
The parents can place their child, who must be at least 18 months old, in a half-day or full-day program. Depending on the age of the child and the amount of hours the child is enrolled in at the center, prices can range from $6 to $9.90 a day, excluding supplies and enrollment fees.
Parents can receive financial aid through the Douglas County Child Development Association or Hilltop scholarships, as well as through fundraising for other programs. Rehabilitation Service programs in Lawrence.
All this has added to the popularity of Hilltop, bieh, Reiber said, has a waitlist list each semester.
Hilltop began 10 years ago when a group of women, called the February Sisters, took over the East Asian Studies building, which has since become a hub for the children of students, staff and faculty.
Their demands were met, and the Wesley building became a home-away-from-home for children.
But the main reason for the continuing success of the day-care center is probably the loving atmosphere provided to the young children, Reiber said.
"Any day-care center should have to have a loving atmosphere," she said.
Issac Betty, 1769 Vermont, reaches into the fountain in the courtyard south of Spooner Hall to flash out a crab apple. The courtyard is a favorite play area of the Hilltop children.
Pre-schoolers from Hilltop Child Care Center enjoy playing in the courtyard next to the Anthropology Museum.
Playing red rover on the front lawn of Watson Library is a popular activity with the Hilltop children.
Photos by Jill M. Yates
Story by Kathleen J. Feist
Kindergarten children from Hilltop peer with evensity into a beehive at the Natural History Museum.
These two children run back to their team during a game with other children from Hilltop.