Hawkeye Preschool continues to be one of the most trusted and beloved early childhood programs within our local area, offering a warm, developmentally rich start for the district’s youngest learners. Housed at Sandyview Learning Center, Hawkeye Preschool provides threes programming, fours programming, and Early Childhood Special Education, giving families multiple pathways to begin their child’s educational journey in a caring and supportive environment.
“Our goal here at Hawkeye Preschool is to offer a quality preschool experience to set a strong learning foundation for our youngest learners,” said Whitney Hobbs, Hawkeye Preschool Coordinator.
A Whole-Child, Play-Based Approach
Hamilton Community Schools has long emphasized the importance of preparing students for future success beginning at the earliest ages. Hawkeye Preschool reflects this mission through a whole-child approach that balances academic readiness with social, emotional, and communication development.
“Here at Hawkeye Preschool, we focus on not only the academic development of students, but also social, emotional, and communication development as well,” Hobbs explained. “And we do a lot of that through play-based learning.”
Play-based learning remains a cornerstone of the program—rooted in research that shows young children learn best through exploration, interaction, and imaginative experiences. “Play-based learning is honing in on the interests of our students and helping them to develop these skills through play,” she added.
Inside each classroom, students are encouraged to create, question, collaborate, solve problems, and build confidence. Whether they are counting blocks, engaging in pretend play, navigating friendships, or exploring the outdoors, each child is supported in developing essential skills that prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.
Experienced Staff, Strong Relationships
One of the defining strengths of Hawkeye Preschool is the expertise—and heart—of its educators. Each classroom includes a minimum of two highly qualified staff members, ensuring that every child receives individualized attention and meaningful support.
“Our staff here at Hawkeye Preschool has decades of experience,” Hobbs said. “Our classrooms have a minimum of two highly qualified staff members in each classroom to support students.”
Equally important is the program’s deep emphasis on relationships. Teachers intentionally cultivate connections that help students feel safe, supported, and known.
“We really place an emphasis on building those relationships with students so that way they do know that they're safe and they do know that they are valued here at preschool,” Hobbs shared.
This commitment is evident in the incredible growth seen each year. “One of our favorite things to see here at preschool is the growth of each of our students—from when they come in as young three- and four-year-olds to when they leave us ready for young fives or kindergarten,” Hobbs said. “We really get to see a lot of that growth and a lot of that maturity happen over the course of the year.”
Find more information about 2026-27 Hawkeye Preschool Open Houses and registration on our Hawkeye Preschool website.
