Top of the Hill School

Our Teachers

Hello! I am Melissa, the founder of Top of the Hill School. I was inspired to start my own program because it has always been my dream to design my own space where children can take control of their own learning. I have over 17 years of experience working with young children. I was a preschool teacher for 8 years and spent 3 of those years as the lead teacher. Prior to my preschool years, I was a nanny for multiple families. My experience ranges from newborn to school aged children.

I have 24 ECE units from City College of San Francisco. This includes First Aid and CPR training . I have also participated in Round Table Professional Development events with other Directors with the hopes of constantly improving my craft.

In addition, my husband and I have been foster parents since the summer of 2016. At first, we fostered a 9 week old baby and then adopted our daughter in 2021. Fostering children is one of the most valuable parts of my life and has inspired me to open this program to continue to work with children and families.

Philosophy

At Top of the Hill School, we believe that children grow, learn, and thrive when they feel safe, loved, and nurtured. It is our goal to provide an environment that helps every child to feel confident and capable. In our program, children will feel genuinely cared for and cherished each day. I am inspired by the play-based and project-based philosophy. I believe that children should guide their own learning through experiences of touching, moving, listening, and observing. This will include open-ended activities/projects to foster curiosity and independent thinking. My environment gives children endless ways and opportunities to express themselves. I truly believe that every moment is a chance for students to learn something new.

I am inspired by the play-based and project-based philosophy. I believe that children should guide their own learning through experiences of touching, moving, listening, and observing. This will include open-ended activities/projects to foster curiosity and independent thinking. My environment gives children endless ways and opportunities to express themselves. I truly believe that every moment is a chance for students to learn something new.

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Location

We’re located in a quiet neighborhood in North Beach, just a few blocks from the library and playground, perfect for little ones to explore the community safely and comfortably. Our care environment is thoughtfully designed with dedicated play and learning areas that invite children to explore developmentally appropriate activities based on their interests. Some of our favorite spaces include:

Art Area – for expressing emotions, creativity, and ideas Block Area – for building gross motor skills, problem-solving, and imagination Dramatic Play Area – for self-expression, storytelling, and building empathy

Children enjoy outdoor time every day, whether at a nearby park or playground. We believe kids need space to move their bodies—run, jump, climb, and explore the world around them!

At Top of the Hill School, my goal is to provide an enriching, nurturing environment where children feel safe, inspired, and free to play and discover at their own pace.

A quick note: We do have a sweet cat named Spot who lives in our home. She is not around during school hours, but we like to give families a heads-up in case of allergies.​

About our program

Welcome to TOTH!

At our home daycare, we’re all about fun and learning through play! Here’s what makes our play place special:

Creative Exploration: We encourage imagination with arts, crafts, and pretend play. Learning Through Play: From counting games to storytime, we make learning exciting. Outdoor Adventures: Safe, supervised outdoor play for physical fun. Friendship Building: Small groups mean big friendships and lots of social time. Flexible Care: We’re here to support your child’s unique needs and routines.

Come join our cozy and caring environment where every day is an adventure!

Admissions

Join the Top of the Hill School community in four easy steps:

1. Explore our website

We’ve provided information about our philosophies and offerings to help you decide if our program may be right for your family.

2. Tour our program

Come see what makes Top of the Hill School unique. Please schedule a tour or attend an Open House event.

3. Submit an Enrollment Application

If you would like to enroll, please submit an application. Please note that we require tours for all prospective families. Please do not submit an application if you have not visited the program.

4. Enroll

After reviewing your application, we’ll send an enrollment invitation. Upon accepting your invitation you’ll pay your enrollment fee, fill out enrollment documents and review our Parent Handbook.

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