CHILDREN'S CENTER OF MERCER COUNTY

CHILDCARE (WHICH INCLUDES BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE)-SERVING CHILDREN 6 WEEKS TO 12 YEARS OLD, PROVIDING CARE FOR AN AVERAGE OF 85 CHILDREN AND THEIR WORKING PARENTS, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 7AM-6PM. BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE-THIS PROGRAM REACHES OUT TO KINDERGARTEN THROUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN. IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HERMITAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT, SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN ARE BROUGHT TO THE CENTER BY THEIR PARENTS IN THE MORNING, BUSSED TO SCHOOL, AND RETURNED TO THE CENTER AFTER SCHOOL. ACTIVITIES ENCOURAGE SOCIAL SKILLS, DEVELOPING INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS. FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING ALLOWS FOR A CHANGE OF PACE BETWEEN SCHOOL AND HOME AND LETS THE CHILDREN CHOOSE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES UNDER ADULT SUPERVISION.SUMMER STARS-FOR 32 SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN DURING THE MONTHS THAT SCHOOL IS NOT IN SESSION, THE CENTER PROVIDES ADULT SUPERVISION WITH PLANNED ACTIVITIES. MUCH LIKE A SUMMER CAMP, PARTICIPANTS USE THIS TIME AWAY FROM REGULAR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES TO USE TECHNOLOGY, MAKE CRAFTS, FIELD TRIPS, DO WELLNESS ACTIVITIES, PLAY GAMES, BE CREATIVE, AND DEVELOP SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SKILLS.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM: PA PRE-K COUNTS - FUNDED THROUGH THE PA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.PRESCHOOL LEARNING PROGRAM FOR 3 & 4 YEAR OLDS; THE PROGRAM IS LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAM SERVICES (DHS) AND IS A LEVEL 4 STARS THROUGH THE KEYSTONE STARS PROGRAM ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. TEACHERS ARE LICENSED, WITH AN EDUCATION DEGREE OR CDA CERTIFICATION. THEY PROVIDE AN EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH CHILDREN ARE ENCOURGAGED TO EXPLORE AND EXPAND THEIR KNOWLEDGE. DAILY LESSON PLANS ARE COMPLETED, AS WELL AS INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENTS AND GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT PLANS TO ENSURE EACH CHILD REACHES THEIR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL.