Childcare Program
 Located just outside of downtown Lititz, the childcare program serves parents who
work in Lancaster and York counties. We are a Christian childcare center, teaching simple songs about the God of love, using
Bible verses and Bible
stories as part of our total teaching program. We believe that every child deserves the
heritage of a knowledge of God and His Son, and without it, education is not complete.
It is our desire to see each child grow mentally, physically, emotionally,
socially and spiritually. We believe we are uniquely qualified to do this, because we
operate as a service to our community, with dedicated, trained and talented
staff.
There is no profit motive needed for our operation, but a service motive...to know, love,
and serve Jesus Christ, who is "the bright and morning star"! Please contact Jamie Esbenshade, Director, to arrange a tour of our learning center.
Ages
MorningStar Childcare programs are offered for:
- infants starting at 6 weeks of age
- toddlers
- children ages 3-5 (childcare 11:30-6pm with morning preschool/pre-k available from 8-11:30am)
- school age care:
- Before and after school for Lititz Christian and bussing is provided from Warwick school district for Lititz Elementary School students
- Full day childcare on non-school days
- Summer camp part-time and full-time options
Parent Handbook
Under Construction
Hours of Operation
The childcare operates from
6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. We are closed on the following
annual holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving (and the following Friday), and the week between Christmas and New Year.
Children may be enrolled for full or part-time childcare depending on your
scheduling needs.
Snow Days -
Because we understand the needs of working parents, every effort is made to keep the facility open during inclement weather.
For school closing information in the event
of bad weather:
- link to WGAL
- tune to WJTL or link to the WJTL.com school delays/closings page
- tune to WDAC
Drop-In Childcare
Parents who need childcare less regularly are invited to use the 'Drop-In
Childcare' program.
This option is based on availability. Please contact the director for more information.
Certification
The childcare center is annually
inspected and certified by the U.S. Department of Public Welfare.
MorningStar is certified by ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International).
MorningStar participates in PA Keystone STARS program.
Staff
All of our early education professionals profess faith in Jesus Christ and receive annual training in pediatric First Aid and Cardio
Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Our teachers are highly trained and receive a minimum of twelve hours of annual professional development in the field of early education. Currently, the average staff member has served at MorningStar for 5 years.
At the time of hire, Morningstar runs
Pennsylvania Criminal and Child Abuse background checks as required by the Department of Public
Welfare.
Curriculum
The curriculum consists of developmental
activities using themes centered around social, emotional, spiritual, cognitive,
and physical growth, and is teacher created. Teachers prepare weekly lesson plans that are based on PA Early Learning Standards. Manipulatives and other purchased
items supplement the custom lesson plans. Parents are invited to
participate in class parties and activities such as harvest parties,
Thanksgiving Tea parties, and the birthday party for Jesus in December.
MorningStar has been chosen from many early learning centers across the state to participate in a special “Mind in the Making” learning experience.
Mind in the Making Learning Modules for Educators is an 11-part, facilitated learning process designed to bridge the gap between research and teaching practice. The goal of these professional development modules for our staff is to better understand how young children learn and how teachers of young children can help set the stage for a lifetime of engaged learning.
Activities
Daily activities include:
- The Bible - where
stories, songs and verses from God's Word serve as an integral part of our
total program
- Centers - where
children are free to choose from a variety of available activities
- Language experience -
using children's literature, role play and imagination as well as social
experiences
- Small motor activities
- using finger and hand control to paint, draw, mold clay and playdough or
construct with Lego bricks.
- Gross motor activities
are needed to exercise and gain muscle control of growing limbs. Children
are provided with play equipment such as bean bags, hoops for jumping,
jump ropes, parachutes, floor puzzles, scooter boards and large blocks to
promote gross motor development.
Special activities
throughout the year include:
- Visits to local fire
stations, post offices, pet stores, banks, pumpkin farms, museums and area
recreation parks.
- Visits from people from
our community to show and tell our children how their work helps others.
- Outdoor water days
during the summer
- Theme weeks in
conjunction with world events - Olympics, Fire Prevention Week, etc.
Click here for sample Daily Routines:
- Toddlers
- Afternoon childcare (preschool/pre-k ages)
- Before/after school childcare
Lunch
Program
The childcare offers an optional
daily lunch service to each child for a nominal fee.
Parents may purchase a
10-day lunch card for $20.00. Cards are punched when lunch is ordered.
Alternately, children may bring their own lunch.
A monthly
menu is provided to parents. Foods served in the lunch program includes at
least one item from each of the following food groups: dairy, protein, grain
and fruits and vegetables.
Please purchase lunch cards at the MorningStar office. Each card provides 10 lunches. Infant and Toddler lunch cards cost $10/card. Preschool through Kindergarten lunch cards cost $20/card. Parents may also opt to pack a lunch for their children if they so desire.
Morning and afternoon snacks are provided.
Back to top
 Adobe,
the Adobe logo, and Adobe Acrobat Reader
are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
|
