The Children's Learning Center at Penn College
Bush Campus Center, Rm. 157 · (570) 320-8026 or (570) 320-2400, ext. 7239
- Who owns and operates the Center?
- What ages does the Center serve?
- Do children have to be toilet trained to attend?
- Does the Center serve children with special needs?
- When is the Center open?
- Do children have to be enrolled full-time?
- Does the Center provide an educational curriculum?
- Who are the teachers?
- How much does it cost?
- Are there any discounts?
- What if my child is too young or too old, or I need evening or weekend care?
Q: Who owns and operates the Center?
A: The Children’s Learning Center is owned and operated by Pennsylvania College of Technology. It is a PA-licensed childcare center (Keystone 4 Stars) and is also accredited by the Middle States Commission on Elementary Education and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Children's Learning Center gives preference to Penn College students and employees. If spaces remain, enrollment is open to the community as well.
Q: What ages does the Center serve?
A: The children range from 18 months to 5 years (or until the child is enrolled in Kindergarten) and are separated into appropriate age groups upon admittance. We do not accept infants younger than 18 months, and we do not provide before- and after-school care.
Q: Do children have to be toilet trained to attend?
A: Not in the toddler or young preschool rooms. Unless there are documented special needs, preschoolers (ages 3-5) should be toilet trained.
Q: Does the Center serve children with special needs?
A: We attempt to serve all children and have enrolled many with special needs. However, we do not have our own therapists or special education teachers on staff. These services must be arranged with outside providers. Parents of special needs children are encouraged to contact the director for a discussion of individual needs.
A: The Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, year-round, except for nine or ten staff development/work days and days when the entire College is closed. Summer hours may change to follow Penn College operating hours.
Q: Do children have to be enrolled full-time?
A: No. We have various part-time schedules available. Our fee schedule lists enrollment options. Children must be enrolled for a fixed weekly schedule of full or half days. Half days are available only in the morning. We do NOT offer drop-in or hourly care.
Q: Does the Center provide an educational curriculum?
A: Yes, we offer an educational program for children, following the guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for developmentally appropriate practice and incorporating the Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood.
A: Each class has two full-time degreed teachers who are employees of Penn College. A part-time "floating" teacher works in all rooms to provide coverage for staff meetings and special activities. College students working part-time for course credit or as work-study students supplement the regular teaching staff.
A: Our fees vary according to child's age and schedule. [View fee schedule (PDF)]
A: The College offers discounts to students who are eligible for a Pell Grant as part of their financial aid and who do not qualify for government subsidies. Low-income employees who are not eligible for state-subsidized childcare may also qualify for a College discount. We accept subsidized payments from county assistance offices and local management agencies. Call the director for more information.