Programs

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world". Nelson Mandela

Infant & Toddler Care:

The tuition rates include the following services:

Baby food
Formula
Diapers
Wipes

Preschool Care:

We have a variety of options available for enrollment in this program:

Full day for families needing services between center operation hours.
Part time care: 2 or 3 days a week care available.

Pre-K Counts details on program requirements can be found below.

School Age Care:

We partner with Ephrata Area School District: Akron and Fulton Elementary for before and after care. Children are offered breakfast and an afternoon snack during their time at the center.

We also work with the school district on behalf of early dismissals, school closures, and delayed openings.

Check out below for our Kindergarten classroom specific schedule accommodations.

Infant & Toddlers

Infants 6 Weeks to 18 months Warblers

Our Warbler room is one of the most active and exploratory classrooms. We pride ourselves on a low teacher-to-child ratio in this room, allowing for plenty of individualized attention and bonding. Our teachers work with children and their parents to develop individualized goals which correspond into the teachers lesson plans that are created weekly. We strive to provide meaningful activities like tummy time, feeding, and a daily routine to assist in the child's developmental needs. The children have a play area and nap space of their own.

Toddlers 1 to 2 years Bluebirds

The Bluebird classroom is a flexible, creative, and encouraging environment in which we strive to provide experiences full of discovery. Our program is created to help the children to grow while learning through the individual interests of the children. The teachers use those interests to teach both meaningful and developmentally appropriate concepts such as utilizing sign language to communicate basic needs, social skills, and working on building their fine and gross motor skills. The opportunities we provide allow each child to explore through play at their own pace while developing valuable social skills and peer relationships.

Toddlers 2 to 3 years old & potty trained Robins

The Robin classroom gives older toddlers an opportunity to be in a preschool setting with peers while still having the care and guidance that a toddler needs. The Robin classroom allows older toddlers a chance to play and interact with peers through learning centers and play. With their exploration and discovery of the environment we surround them in, children are able to engage, interpret, and inquiry concepts in self-discoveries as well as teacher guided instruction. Our primary goal is to work with children on their individualized goals as well as strengthen their social-emotional, fine/gross motor skills, and partnership with families on potty training. These key developmental stages set the child up for independence and success into their preschool years and beyond.

Preschool

Preschool 3 to 4 years Hummingbirds

The Hummingbird class is a young preschool class using the Creative Curriculum to develop age appropriate activities and is based on the children's interest to create learning exploration and discovery. Our teachers implement fine motor, literacy, and science discovery to name a few of their favorite activities to incorporate in their children's learning. Children in the Hummingbirds class are eligible for Kindergarten in 2 years.

Preschool 4 to 5 years Cardinals

The Cardinals class is our older preschool class using the Creative Curriculum to develop age appropriate activities based on individual children's needs. In the classroom the teachers work with the children on letter and number recognition, writing their name, and educational expressive art projects. Children in the Cardinals class are eligible for Kindergarten in one year, or are attending preschool for a growing year before entering Preschool.

Pre-K Counts 3 to 5 years Orioles

The Orioles class is a full day, state-funded, Pre-K Counts class that runs 180 days, Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. This program is free to families. Entrance into this class is based on family income and other risk factors. Attendance is a requirement an follows the Ephrata Area School District calendar. In the classroom, our certified teacher, creates learning experiences that gets the children ready for kindergarten. The Orioles prepare academically for a more structured setting but utilizes creative curriculum which enhances learning through play.

Before and/or after care is available for a fee.

Preschool 3 to 5 years Puffins

The Puffins class is a smaller sized full day, state-funded, Pre-K Counts class that runs 180 days, Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. This program is free to families. Entrance into this class is based on family income and other risk factors. Preference for the smaller sized class is based on developmental needs. Attendance is a requirement and follows the Ephrata Area School District calendar. In the classroom, our certified teacher creates learning experiences that gets the children ready for kindergarten. The Puffins prepare academically for a more structured setting but utilizes creative curriculum which enhances learning through play.

Before and/or after care is available for a fee.

School Age

Before & After Kindergarten & 1st Grade Owls

Our Before and After Care for Kindergarten classroom allows for programming outside of their half day kindergarten with Ephrata Area School District. Our Owl classroom utilizes the creative curriculum content to emphasis the children's academic content as well as influence their own personal interest. The Owls kindergarten enrichment activities are geared towards building social-emotional development as well as working through the alphabet in themed lessons that correspond with their instruction at school.

Children who attend Akron Elementary or Fulton Elementary in the Ephrata Area School District can come to Diamond Street before and/or after their half-day kindergarten class. The children who attend Akron Elementary will be walked out to the bus stop by one of our qualified staff who will transport the students to and from school. Children who attend Fulton Elementary will be transported via DSECC van.

Before & After Care 2nd-4th grade Eagles

When the Eagles are not at elementary school you can find them enriched in stories, especially The Magic Tree House series. The Eagles also incorporate STEM projects, arts and crafts activities, and enjoy gross motor play.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
fax: (202) 690-7442; or
email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.