Programs

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

Infant & Toddler Care:

For infants through age 3, the tuition rates include the following services:

Full day care for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days
All meals including baby food
Formula
Diapers
Wipes
Toys and Activities
Warm, Wonderful Teachers!
Year round program

Preschool Care:

We have a variety of options available for preschool enrollment:

Full day for families needing services between center operation hours.
Part time care: 2 or 3 full days days per week.
Pre-K Counts for qualifying families.
Summer programs

School Age Care:

Before and After Care: Akron and Fulton Elementary Schools (EASD) (K-4th)

No-School-Day Care: Holiday and Snow Day care available for separate enrollment (any Elementary School K-4th)

Summer Day Camp: 10 Weeks each summer (finished K through 4th grade)

For more information, including tuition rates, visit our parent toolkit tab.

Infant & Toddlers

Infants 6 Weeks to 18 months

Our Warbler and Chickadee rooms are places of active learning. Low teacher to student ratio allows for plenty of individualized attention and bonding. Our teachers work with children and their parents to develop individualized goals which are reflected in the teachers' weekly lesson plans. We strive to provide meaningful activities like tummy time, feeding, and a daily routine to assist in the child's developmental needs.

Toddlers 1 to 2 years

The Bluebird classroom is a flexible, creative, and encouraging environment in which provides experiences full of discovery. The curriculum is developed to help the children grow and learn through their individual interests. The teachers prioritize 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 3.5 years old

The Robin and Dove classrooms give older toddlers an opportunity to be in a preschool-like 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. The Doves room allows children who will turn three, but are not yet eligible for preschool, to begin developing skills such as following a schedule, cleaning up their play space and sitting at circle time. Our primary goal is to work with children to develop their social-emotional and fine/gross motor skills as well as partnering with families on potty training.

Preschool

Preschool 3 to 5 years

The Hummingbird, Puffin, and Cardinal classrooms use Creative Curriculum to develop age appropriate activities based on the children's interest to create learning exploration and discovery. Our certified teachers implement fine motor, literacy, math and science and use their favorite activities to enhance children's learning. Children in the Preschool classes are typically eligible for Kindergarten in 2 years. Children may be enrolled for 2 to 5 days per week during the school year and summer.

Pre-K Counts 3 to 5 years

The Hummingbird, Puffin and Cardinals classrooms all have Pre-K Counts Seats available. All children enrolled in these classrooms receives the highest quality early childhood education based on proven, researched based teaching methods through the Creative Curriculum. Students who qualify for Pre-K Counts can attend for free from 9am to 3pm following the school year calendar. Attendance is a requirement during the school year to ensure learning. In the classroom, our certified teachers create learning experiences that prepare children for kindergarten. These classrooms include wrap care options for an extra fee.

The Orioles classroom is Pre-K Counts only. This room operates from 9am to 3pm following the school year calendar. Attendance is a requirement during the school year to ensure learning. In the classroom, our certified teachers create learning experiences that prepare children for kindergarten. There are no wrap care options available for the Orioles Class.

School Age

Before & After Kindergarten to 4th Grade

Children who attend Elementary School in the Ephrata Area School District can come to Diamond Street before and/or after school care. 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 attending Fulton Elementary will be transported by our staff in a school-student safe van. Families in all other schools will be responsible for their transportation.

The Owls and Eagles classes include activities to enrich learning, provide for social emotional growth and give kids an opportunity for free play and social interaction during the hours before and after school. Families may also sign up for their children to attend no-school days.

No-School-Day Kindergarten to 4th Grade

Children attending a certified school for Kindergarten through 4th Grade may enroll in our no-school-day program. Attendance is limited to the Ephrata Area School District no-school-days, but children may be enrolled in other schools and still attend.

The Falcons class includes activities to enrich learning, provide for social emotional growth and give kids an opportunity for free play and social interaction during days when school is not in session.

Summer Day Camp

Summer camp is a time for kids who have finished kindergarten through 4th grade to play, learn and build friendships. Each summer camp counselors work together to build an exciting program filled with learning opportunities, adventure and fun. Summer Camp includes visits to the swimming pool, field trips to local attractions and a variety of activities taught by volunteers who are excited to teach children about their hobbies, crafting skills or careers.

At DSECC equal educational opportunities are available for all children, without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, ethnicity, religion, disability, or parent/provider political beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation or special needs, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. Educational programs are designed to meet the varying needs of all students.

In Accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, DSECC ensures that all persons with limited English proficiency will have meaningful and equal access to services and benefits. These services will include, but are not limited to, free language assistance services when an interpreter is needed.

Anyone who believes they have been discriminated against may file a complaint of discrimination with:

Department of Human Services US Dept. of Health & Human Services Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

Bureau of Equal Opportunity Office for Civil Rights Harrisburg Regional Office

Room 223, Health and Welfare Building Suite 372, Public Ledger Bldg. 1101 S. Front St., 5th Floor

Harrisburg, PA 17105 150 S Independence Mall West Harrisburg, PA 17104

Philadelphia, PA 19106

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.