NAEYC

NAEYC is the acronym for the National Association for the Education of Young Children which accredits schools based on their guildelines. You can search for accredited schools and learn more about the NAEYC on this site:

http://www.naeyc.org/

Just have to add an editorial here... Accreditation is good, but there may be some schools who don't have it but are still very good. Some of those schools may in fact be brand new and haven't had a chance to apply for accreditation or perhaps are going through the process of it or maybe they are not eligible for accreditation simply because they have fewer than 10 students at a time. My suggestion would be to check out a place yourself, talk to other parents who have children enrolled, and go with your instincts.

DPW

If you are seeking a school or childcare that is compliant with the terms set by the Department of Public Welfare, this link will allow you to search for places that will fit your needs:

https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/compass/ProviderSearch/PGM/PSWEL.aspx

On this page, you will also find links to:
Child Care Works
Head Start/ Early Head Start
Licensed Nursery
PA Pre-K Counts
School District Pre-Kindergarten
Full Day Kindergarten
Infant Toddler Early Intervention/ Preschool Early Intervention
Nurse-Family Partnership
Parent-Child Home Program

Children First Learning Center

Children First Learning Center
215 Saint Charles Way
York, PA 17402
(717) 741-5426
Director: Peggy

No Website Available (I called to double check.)

Center is open from 6 A.M. - 6 P.M.

Calvary United Methodist Church Child Care Center

Calvary United Methodist Church Child Care Center
11 N. Richland Ave. (Corner of Richland Ave. & Market St.)
York, PA 17404
(717) 854-1697
Director: Pam Wisniewski

Calvary United Methodist Website: http://www.calvaryumcyork.com/index.htm
Calvary United Methodist Church Child Care Center Website: http://www.calvaryumcyork.com/index_files/Page359.htm

Age Range: 2 - 5
Christian environment

Bethlehem United Methodist Church Preschool

Bethlehem United Methodist Church Preschool
109 E. Main St.
Dallastown, PA 17313
(717) 244-1486

Bethlehem United Methodist Church Website: http://bethlehemumcdallastown.org/
Bethlehem United Methodist Church Preschool Website: http://bethlehemumcdallastown.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=27420&PID=658517

Age Range: 3 - 4 years old
September - May
Christian environment
Child must be potty trained

Bethany Christian Learning Center

Bethany Christian Learning Center
1401 Mount Rose Ave.
York, PA 17403
(717) 848-2772
Director: Wanda Ashby

Bethany United Methodist Church Website: http://www.bethanyumcyork.org/index.html
Bethany Christian Learning Center Website: http://www.bethanyumcyork.org/bclc/index.html

Age Range: 2 - 5
Christian-based academic program
Program runs September - May; however, extended care is year-round

Based on their website, Bethany Christian Learning Center also offers enrichment classes such as "Music 4 Everyone!", "Creative Expressions", and "A Time for the Spirit." They also have extended Kindergarten and extended care for preschool-age children.

*Classes for the fall tend to fill by the end of July. You have been informed! :)

Aldersgate Parent-Child Preschool

Aldersgate Parent-Child Preschool
397 Tyler Run Rd.
York, PA 17403
(717) 843-8292
Director: Pat Moeller

Aldersgate United Methodist Church website: http://aldersgateyork.com
Aldersgate Parent-Child Preschool website: http://aldersgateyork.com/templates/System/details.asp?id=35959&PID=581161

Age range: 2 1/2 - 5 years old
2 1/2 y.o. program: October - May
3 - 5 y.o. programs: September - May
*From what I understand, the children do not need to be potty trained to attend.

I believe this is a secular program-- I will verify this.

This is, and I may be mistaken, the only preschool in the area that offers parental participation.

Square One: The Phonebook

Well, first thing's first... The Phonebook. There are 35 listings, and I know at least one school that isn't listed that should be. I'll call the schools, make sure they are still there, too. In addition to the phone numbers and street addresses, I'm also going to see about obtaining web addresses, if available.

I think my best option for posting will be to have an individual post for each school.

Here we go!

Greetings!

While looking for educational options for my toddler, I realized the information I wanted wasn't as readily available as I might have hoped. Research is something I'm familiar with-- I had to do plenty of it in college-- but as a mom, I don't have as much time set aside specifically for this. An unfortunate consequence of the times? Maybe, but that's a whole other discussion. ;) Well, I'm making the time(!!) and will happily share the fruits of my labors with you.

My aim is to compile information from the preschools in the York County region and share this information with other parents, parents-to-be, grandparents, and anyone with a child in their lives. If you have personal experiences to share regarding the schools listed, or schools that I have yet to list, please feel free to post comments in the appropriate places. I must insist that the comments be written as respectfully as possible.

Here we go!!