Frequently Asked Questions

Our staff-to-child ratio is unbeatable! We pride ourselves on having more teachers per child than the Pennsylvania Department of Health & Human Services (DHS) requires. This enables us to individualize learning within our small groups. We further divide our classes into smaller groups according to children’s needs, maturity levels, abilities, and attention spans so that all children are progressing at their own pace.  We offer a Toddler/Preschool Program, After-School Program, and Summer Camp.

Our Toddler/Preschool Program, After-School Program, and Summer Camp staff are a combination of tried and true tenured teachers of 15 – 30 years or more as well as newer but experienced teachers. The common element of all of the teachers is their commitment to facilitating learning and their love for children.

We are very discerning about whom we hire to care for the children at Beacon Center. We look for individuals who have a natural love, and ability with children. We require a percentage of our teachers to have a degree in Education or a related field. They should have experience working with children, maturity, warmth, patience, dependability, and a good sense of humor!

Parents with a child in our Toddler/Preschool Program, After-School Program should bring a lunch each day. Kept at Beacon Center are a change of clothing, diapers, and wipes if needed. If your child stays after 1:00 p.m., they will need resting items like a blanket and pillow. For Summer Camp, children also need bathing suits and sunscreen for sprinkler play.

There are no requirements as to when children need to be out of diapers. Some parents follow the lead of their child, who may be intrigued when friends are using the bathroom and decide to do the same, or a parent may choose to pick a time to buckle down and help their child commit to using the potty. We help parents either way. Just know that Beacon Center does not have a requirement as to when a child should be out of diapers.

Definitely! We encourage parents to be involved at Beacon Center by being an aide in the classroom, an assistant on field trips, or a participant in activities at school. Your participation and suggestions are most welcome!

We feel it is extremely important to communicate with parents about a child’s day, and we do this on a daily basis. We are always happy to sit down and chat with you about how your child is doing. We also provide quarterly written progress reports. Our door is always open to your comments, questions, and concerns.

Very simply—we are consistent about our simple set of rules designed for your child’s safety and well-being, and we use a positive approach when disciplining children. Children are often “testing the waters” or are just learning to communicate and need lots of attention, guidance, consistency, love, and humor when learning “right from wrong”.
Communication and redirection are the rules of thumb with a healthy sprinkling of love and kindness. The teachers are very aware of the interactions of the children, their individual personalities, and any trigger items that can cause issues. Staff is constantly adapting to challenges that could affect a child’s behavior.

Please call to arrange a visit to the school. We think it is important for families to tour the school to meet the teachers, see children in action, and ask any questions. The application is available online or can be obtained at the tour. Applications are only accepted after the tour unless you are from out of state.
Upon receipt of the application and fee, you will be contacted when a space becomes available for your child in our Toddler/Preschool Program. If no spaces are available at the time of application, you will be placed on our waiting list and will be contacted when there is a space.
Applications are accepted all year round. Enrollment is rolling, so if a space opens in March, a family will begin with that schedule in March.
Once we are able to confirm a space, a deposit of 10% of tuition is required. In addition, 10% of tuition is required as a deposit that is held and returned based on Beacon Center policy. The following additional forms are required:

• Enrollment Confirmation Form
• Emergency Info/Contact Form Health Form
• Agreement

We offer a Toddler/Preschool Program, as well as an After-School Program and Summer Camp.