Welcome to our new and improved website, filled with valuable information for expecting parents and families with young children. Since 1965, we’ve partnered with our families, schools and communities to ensure that each child arrives ready for kindergarten.

The period of a child’s life called “early childhood development” is a critical period in a child’s life. In fact, 75% of a child’s brain connections occur in a child’s first year, and 90% by four years of age. As a community, we need to work together before kindergarten to support families in their role as a child’s first and forever teacher.

We are committed to serving our children and families with the highest quality care and education to develop each person to their fullest potential. Our program is rated at the highest quality level possible in Pennsylvania – Keystone STARS FOUR, and we continuously strive to improve what we do. By 2023, our goal is to be nationally accredited, as well as state recognized, by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

More than one hundred early childhood professionals across Franklin County work every day with 665 children and their families in schools, churches, and community centers. Our 35 classrooms primarily serve children ages 3-5, with three classrooms serving children from 12 months to three years old. We also provide Home Visiting weekly to 48 pregnant mothers and/or children up to age three to support them in parenting and other goals.

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, foster parent, child care provider, or community volunteer you will find information on this website you can use. There are resources, information and upcoming events as well as information about our services for children and families.

We hope that you will come to use this website as a first stop when starting to care for and educate a young child. Let’s partner together to ensure that each child arrives ready for kindergarten.

Yours,
Annette Searfoss, Ph.D.
President and CEO