Our Unique Approach

At the Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center, we believe that early childhood education should encompass the entire child’s development while supporting families. Our approach blends nurturing care, inclusive practices, and engaging environments to create a foundation for lifelong learning and well-being. Here’s what makes us unique:

01

Continuity of Care

Stable, Long-Term Relationships for Children and Caregivers
Our Continuity of Care model ensures children remain with the same primary caregiver for extended periods, building secure, stable attachments that support their emotional well-being and confidence. This consistency helps children trust their environment and flourish in relationships, which are key to early learning and development. For teachers, it allows deeper understanding of each child, creating a foundation for more personalized care and fostering open communication with families.

02

Equitable Access Through Sliding Scale Tuition + Scholarships

Making Quality Education Accessible for All Families
We believe every child should have access to quality education, regardless of financial background. Our sliding scale tuition and scholarship programs ensure that families from diverse backgrounds can benefit from our programs, making HWCEC a truly inclusive community. More than half of our students rely on these programs, allowing children from all socioeconomic backgrounds to experience the benefits of high-quality early education.

03

Whole-Family Engagement

Supporting Families to Build Strong Foundations for Children
Our whole-family approach provides comprehensive support for families, recognizing that a child’s success is connected to the family’s well-being. Through wraparound services like parent education, family therapy, and community engagement, we help families thrive, providing them with the tools they need to support their children’s development both at home and in school.

04

Child-Centered Learning

Encouraging Exploration and Curiosity Through Play-Based Learning
At HWCEC, we foster curiosity and creativity through play-based, child-led learning. Using Teaching Strategies’ Creative Curriculum, we encourage children to lead their own exploration, building essential social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills in an engaging way. Our approach develops a lifelong love of learning by allowing children to follow their interests in a safe, supportive environment.

05

Inspiring Learning Environments

Encouraging Exploration and Curiosity Through Play-Based Learning
Intentional Indoor and Outdoor Spaces for Growth and Exploration
Our classrooms, outdoor playscapes, and gross motor rooms are designed with intentionality, creating inspiring environments for children to explore and grow. Each classroom serves as a comforting “home away from home” with materials that spark curiosity. Outdoor areas, from trails and bike paths to hillside slides and natural playscapes, foster sensory exploration and physical movement. Our children’s kitchen and vegetable garden provide hands-on learning about nutrition and healthy habits, encouraging children to take pride in preparing and sharing food they’ve helped grow.

Commitment to Best Practices

Dedicated to High Standards and Research-Backed Practices

HWCEC is Arkansas quality accredited and upholds best practices based on guidance from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and leading national program models. We stay informed on the latest research and connect theory with practice to ensure our children receive the best possible early education and care.

Research-Based Curriculum and Practices: Our team continuously integrates proven approaches to early childhood education, from developmental milestones to health and safety guidelines, creating a well-rounded, high-quality experience for every child.

NAEYC and Industry Standards: We align our learning environments, teaching methods, and operational practices with nationally recognized standards, ensuring we deliver an enriching and supportive environment that meets the diverse needs of our community’s youngest learners.

Testimonials

  • I marveled at the opportunity children who were playing on the porch had to freely interact with the available developmentally appropriate materials and each other. They independently selected their course of play, happily engaging in their self directed experience. When two toddlers' movement resulted in a physical exchange of pushing, they had the chance to attempt to work out the situation without adult intervention. When an adult did provide guidance for them, it was to verbally clarify that they were working toward finding a solution and reinforce supportive feelings for each of the children.

    Connie Shanhouse, a college instructor in early education for over 20 years

  • The boys are both having the best time at Helen Walton Children's Enrichment Center. I am always so amazed at all the wonderful crafts [my child] comes home with. Ms. Cynthia has also made a huge impact on [my son] and he loves seeing her smiling face every day. Thank you so much for everything you and your staff do to make my boys' experiences so pleasant.

    A parent

  • EVERYONE at HWCEC deserves a “You Rock” for being awesome, for always smiling, and for loving and caring for our kids as their own. We appreciate all of you every day!”

    A parent