01
6 weeks+Infant Care
Infants eat, sleep, and play on their own schedule, with teachers close by for each feed and nap.
Explore Infant Care
Licensed care in Etters, from 6 weeks to 12.
Infant Care through Summer Program, with breakfast, lunch and snacks included.
Request a visitThe essentials
- Ages
- 6 weeks old to 12 years old
- Hours
- Monday Through Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
A room for every age
Children move up room by room as they grow, from infants through school age.
02
Young Toddler Care
Young toddlers walk, climb, and stack.
Explore Young Toddler Care03
Older Toddler Care
Older toddlers sort shapes, match colors, and run outdoors.
Explore Older Toddler Care
Preschool Care
Preschoolers paint, build, count, and tell stories.
Explore Preschool CareHow we see children
Judy and Bill Whale have owned and operated this center since 1999, and they are here during most of the operating hours. They take a personal interest in each child and each staff member. Our teachers hold four-year degrees, and we are a fully licensed and accredited program with the State of Pennsylvania.
Babies and toddlers have their own play area, separate from the older children, which cuts down on injuries. Rooms are set up so each age group has its own space and its own pace. Our teachers hold four-year degrees, and the director holds an undergraduate degree from Penn State and a master's from Rutgers.
Owners Judy and Bill are here from open to close, not just a few hours a week, and they know each child by name. Ask a teacher about your child's morning and she can tell you what he built, what he ate, and who he played with. The rooms stay calm because the same faces greet children each day. That consistency is what parents notice first when they walk through.
What a day looks like
Doors open at 6:30 AM. A teacher greets your child by name and helps him put his bag in his cubby. Babies settle into a lap or a floor mat; toddlers head straight for the blocks. Hot breakfast is served, so a child who arrives early can eat here. You leave knowing who has him and where he will be.
Breakfast, lunch and two snacks are included for every child, and all meals are hot. There is time for play, small-group learning, rest and outdoor time. Bill and Judy Whale, the owners, are on site from open to close, Monday through Friday.
By late afternoon, the pace slows. Children help tidy up, then choose quiet activities while others are picked up. A teacher tells you one real thing about the day — a new word, a tall tower, a finished drawing. Doors close at 6:00 PM. If you have a question, the owners are usually on site, and you can ask one of them before you go.
How we work with families
At pickup, parents hear about the day and can ask any questions. Bill and Judy Whale are on site from open to close, so the owners are present when you need them. The center also videos the children and gives edited DVDs to parents, grandparents and relatives at no charge.
New families can talk with the owners about their child's age and needs, and ask what the first weeks will look like. Because Bill and Judy are on site all day, questions get answered by the people who run the center. Ask them how settling in works for your child.
How to join
- 01
Get in touch
Call (717) 938-9978 or email whale9999@aol.com. Tell us your child's age and the days you need. We will talk with you about the next step.
- 02
Tour the room
Come see the classroom your child would join and meet the teachers who run it. Bring your child and any questions about the day.
- 03
Enroll and settle in
We complete the enrollment paperwork together and plan a first week that fits your child's routine. You decide how to ease him in, and we follow your lead.
Good questions to ask first
What are the hours?
Monday Through Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM..
What ages do you take?
Children from 6 weeks old to 12 years old.
Which school district does school-age care serve?
West Shore School District.
Can we visit before deciding?
Yes, a tour is how families decide. Children are part of the visit, and you can bring your child along.
What should my child bring on the first day?
Most families pack a spare set of clothes, a comfort item like a small blanket or stuffed animal, and anything else their child uses daily. Label everything with your child's name so it finds its way back. If you are unsure, ask us and we will tell you what your child's room needs.
Do you offer part-time or flexible schedules?
Schedules depend on your child's age group and what openings we have at the time. Call or email with your child's age and the days you need, and we will tell you what is available.
What if there is no place right now?
If your child's age group is full, you can ask to be told when a place opens. We will note your child's age and the days you need and contact you when we have room.