PennAEYC

Center History: Built on the vision of the administration and staff of Masonic Village in the late 1980’s the center was developed to support the working family as an on site child care program. On July 3, 1989 the center opened its doors to provide quality care for 26 children of the Masonic Village employees. In the fall of 1990 the program had grown beyond any expectation and moved into a new location more than doubling in size to 63 students. In April 1991 believing in a commitment to quality, Masonic Village Child Care Center and Hildebrandt Learning Center began a long relationship of mutual respect and support that has enabled the program to grow into the quality program it is today. The center is now housed in a beautiful, state of the art facility located in the center of a retirement community serving all levels of Elder Care on a multi generational campus. The center is a Keystone 4 STAR, NAEYC Accredited Center serving a capacity of 150 students from the Elizabethtown Community and Masonic Village Employees.

Center Structure:

150 students in 9 classrooms

2 Infant Classrooms serving 8 infants each 6 weeks-12 months 

2 Young Toddler classrooms serving 10 children each 13 months to 24 months

1 Older Toddler Classroom serving 18 children 25-36 months

2 Preschool Classrooms serving 20 children each in a mixed age environment 3-5 yrs

1 Kindergarten Classroom serving 24 children in Full Day DOE Certified Kindergarten

1 Camp Clubhouse serving SA Students for B/A School and Summer Day Camp

Parent involvement component:  Masonic Homes Child Care Center is committed to the bonds of family. We value families for their bond to their child, culture and traditions, for their ability to play and participate in their child’s learning. We value their commitment to their work their home and their community. We value their commitment and dreams for their children.

Believing in these values we celebrate every opportunity a family has to become involved in the lives of their children. Families are an important part of our program and building relationships through daily communication is essential. We welcome family participation and encourage families to share their interests and talents with children and other families as they choose. We celebrate families every opportunity we can by enjoying fellowship at family events such as family and community dinners, family nights or other events like trips to local attractions. We also encourage classroom volunteers as parents schedules will allow and recognize that parent involvement comes in many forms. We recognize and value the importance of each and every opportunity we have to partner with families in what ever way works for the individual family.

Children and families have the opportunity to spend time together within the program as well as during family events.

AEYC involvement: Masonic Homes Child Care Center is located in the Lancaster AEYC. The staff are encouraged to have an active membership participation in LAAEYC and support the organization in various ways. Several staff serve as board members on LAAEYC and have hosted events to support efforts such as meeting locations, event support staff and advocacy opportunities.