30 Years of Tender Years
Every December, Tender Years celebrates another birthday. This year marks a very special milestone: 30 years! We thought we would mark the occasion by taking a brief look back in time…
How It All Began
As a working mother of two children, nine years apart, Betty Krebs was fortunate to have a neighbor watch her oldest child. But after becoming a mom again nearly a decade later, she found herself in a very tough spot! She realized how difficult it was to find quality, education-based child care. She also knew that more and more mothers were entering the work force, and that they were facing the very same challenges.
Always a go-getter, she was determined to take matters into her own hands. She decided to take her daughter to work with her and help provide a quality early childhood program for other working mothers like her. . . at the same time! She used her business background and her motherly instincts to guide her every step of the way!
Betty gave birth to her third baby, Tender Years, Inc. in 1984, at Chapel Hill United Church of Christ in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. After two successful years at Chapel Hill, the facility relocated to the Rite Aid Capital Corporate Center in Camp Hill. While at the Rite Aid Headquarters, a Department of Education, Certified Kindergarten Program was implemented. Tender Years, Inc. remained in the Rite Aid Corporate Center until relocating across the street to the current location at 203 House Avenue in Camp Hill.
As Tender Years, Inc. continued to grow and thrive, Hershey Foods Corporation contacted Betty in hopes of opening a corporate child care center for their employees. In 1985, two centers opened in Hershey, Pennsylvania. One center was located in a house across from the chocolate factory, and another in the Church of the Redeemer on Chocolate Avenue. These centers remained in operation until July of 1993, when the new Hershey center at 50 East Chocolate Avenue was unveiled.
Recent History & Looking Toward The Future
Children are the heart of our business. Giving them the highest level of care and developmental opportunities has always been our top priority. As a result, we’ve only ever been interested in growing our business slowly and steadily. It’s helped us keep our focus on the quality of our centers. But sometimes the right opportunities find you. . .
In 2013, our third center was born in Mechanicsburg, in an award-winning village-style development called Walden. Designed and built from the ground up, this state-of-the-art childcare center features large bright classrooms, large play areas, and even a 5-story indoor treehouse! Take a look. . .
As you can see below, the last year has been an exciting time for Tender Years. Aside from building our newest center, we introduced new programs, won some awards, and were even named as a finalist for Central Penn Business Journal’s Business of The Year!
Thirty years seems like a long time, yet it has passed in the blink of an eye. So much history has happened along the way. So many parents have relied on us. So many children have passed through our doors. And while we love to reminisce about it all, we’re also excited about the future. We can’t wait to see what the next thirty years brings.
Comments & Birthday Wishes
We’ve made a lot of friends over the years. As we celebrate the major milestone of turning 30, we would love to hear from you. Whether you are (or were) a client, a student, a teacher, or just a supporter of Tender Years, please write a few words below. We look forward to reading and sharing them!
Get Your Scavenger Hunt Form
Are you a parent celebrating our 30th with us during the week of December 15th? Do you need an extra Scavenger Hunt & Drawing Entry Form, or just another copy of the coloring page on the back?
Click Here to download another copy.
