Established in 1970 as a program of University Christian Church, Hillcrest Preschool serves children from 18 months through kindergarten readiness on its Cleveland Avenue campus, using the California Preschool Learning Foundations as its curriculum backbone. The school continues to operate in partnership with its founding congregation at University Christian Church, integrating humanistic values of acceptance and respect without religious instruction. Classroom programming covers fine and gross motor skill development, early math and science, language, music and movement, sensory play, and self-expression through art. Weekly music enrichment is supplemented by visiting instructors from studios including Singing with Kelly, bringing vocal and rhythm work into the older classrooms. The most structured track is the full-day kindergarten-prep room, which moves four- and five-year-olds through a blended play-based and academic-readiness program to prepare for SDUSD or independent kindergarten placement.