Betty L. Krebs, Founder

Betty founded Tender Years in 1984 when, as a working mother of two children, she realized how difficult it was to find quality child care. At the time, she also saw that more mothers were entering the workforce and needed what she herself had been searching for. With few options available to her and other working families, she decided to utilize her business background to give birth to her third child, Tender Years, Inc.

Over the last 30 years, Betty has worked diligently to build Tender Years’ strong reputation for being an education-focused, family-driven childcare solution. As a mother and grandmother, she understands the needs of local parents, as well as the communities and school districts we serve. Although Betty is retired from the business today, she stills serves as a mentor to her families business.

Jay A. Krebs, Owner & Operations Manager

Jay joined Tender Years in 1988, shortly after earning his B.A. in Business Administration. With the original intent to help his mother’s business on a short-term basis while he pursued new career opportunities, he quickly realized it was a great time to be involved in starting a business. Jay envisioned Tender Years as more than a babysitting service. He envisioned a company that could grow to provide care and early education to even more families and have a greater impact in the community. Over the last 30 years, Jay has built the financial structure and family-like culture that makes Tender Years what it is today. Along the way, he has orchestrated projects with The Hershey Company, GISI Insurance Company, Caldwell Development Company, Lobar Associates, Rachael Carson State Office Building Parents Association, St. Theresa’s School, and more recently, Charter Homes and Neighborhoods.

Jay is proud to operate a business with more than 90 employees, who are offered benefits such as paid time off, a Simple IRA retirement plan, and Health and Dental insurance. Jay says, “Our employees are the success of Tender Years and I will continue to recognize and appreciate that fact.”

Jay lives in Mechanicsburg with his two children. He is a member of the Harrisburg Lions Club and volunteers with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Kimberly Shearer, M.Ed., Owner & Executive Director

Kimberly joined her family business, as an Early Childhood Teacher in 1994. Upon completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Education from Shippensburg University in 1996, Kimberly worked for several years as the Director of the Camp Hill, Hershey and Harrisburg (Paxton Street) locations. She was responsible for the opening of the Rachel Carson State Office Building Center location and was the center Director. She completed her Master’s Degree in Education from Temple University in 2000 and worked part time, traveling the country, as a trainer for the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) tool.

From 2001-2010, Kimberly spent the winters overseas for her husband’s professional ice hockey career, where she had the opportunity to work in bilingual preschools/Montessori preschools, teaching English in an International school and designing bilingual playgroups for a Parent-Child Center. Most importantly, she became a mother and it is these experiences that Kimberly credits most for her development as an Early Childhood Professional.

Upon her return to the United States full time, it was her dream to help to expand and grow the family business. She was instrumental in the design, start up and opening of the Mechanicsburg location from 2013-2016. During this time, she created and implemented the Tender Years Academy program, ACE customized Curriculum and K-Readiness programs. Kimberly received her PQAS certification, and her Director’s Credential.

In 2018, she purchased her family business, along with her brother, Jay, and they currently own operate the business today.  They are currently working on a new project and are excited to be growing the business again in 2021.

Kimberly currently lives in Mechanicsburg, PA, Cumberland County.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, watching her children play ice hockey and softball, and loves decorating, fashion and fitness!

Jordyn Heisey, Director, Camp Hill Center

Jordyn started working at Tender Years as a Summer Camp Counselor for the Hershey Location in 2016. In 2018, she returned to Tender Years as the Assistant Director for the Mechanicsburg Location. She is a 2011 Mechanicsburg Area School District graduate and received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Millersville University in 2015. Jordyn has her Pennsylvania State teaching certificate in grades Pre-K through 6th. Her experience includes teaching toddler age groups for 4 years and various public elementary school grades for 2 years.

In her personal time, Jordyn enjoys spending time outside and loves to run. She also spends most of her time with her family. Jordyn has two young girls, Fiona and Bianca, and a loving husband, Ryan.

Diana Newell, Director, Hampden Center

Diana Newell has over 25 years’ experience working in childcare. In 2013, she began working at Tender Years in Mechanicsburg as a toddler teacher. Within a year, she changed roles to become a Pre-K teacher. In 2021, she was promoted to the Assistant Director role. And in 2023, she was promoted again to the position of Director at our Hampden center.

Diana graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Bloomsburg University. Additionally, she possesses  a Pennsylvania private school certificate in Pre-K through 4th grade, and she is currently working toward earning her Director’s Credential.

In her free time, Diana enjoys spending time with her four children, whether cheering from the stands watching her boys play football and baseball or watching her daughter play softball. She also enjoys the drives to Bloomsburg University to visit her oldest daughter, and to West Chester University to visit her oldest son.

Dana Hall, Director, Hershey Center

Dana graduated from Penn Manor High school, and obtained her Associates in Early Childhood Education from Harrisburg Area Community College in 2012. Dana’s previous experiences includes 11 years in the field, including being a Preschool teacher, and Education Coordinator, and an Assistant Director for a variety of companies. Dana had been a Director for a non-profit program in Lancaster, and most recently served as Assistant Principal at Chesterbrook Academy. Dana has received her Pennsylvania Director’s Credential and has started working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Dana is excited to join the Hershey team as their Center Director.

In Dana’s free time, she can be found enjoying time with her daughter, watching movies, vacationing at the beach, and playing with their two dogs, Skylar and Leo.

Courtney White, Director, Mechanicsburg Center

Courtney graduated from the Milton Hershey School in 2014 and Clarion University in 2018. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Social Work. Courtney has enjoyed working with children, college students and their families. In high school she tutored and mentored elementary school students. When she went to college she worked with college students as a student success mentor. After graduation she worked in the day care setting as both a teacher and director. She has also worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters as well as working with children, adults and their families who have autism. Courtney is ecstatic to join the Mechanicsburg team as the Center Director. 

In her free time, she can be found cooking, watching movies, going on hikes and spending quality time with her husband and their two children. 

Courtney Enterline, Director of Recruitment

Courtney is a graduate of Millersville University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Secondary Social Studies. She currently holds a Pennsylvania State certification in Social Studies grades 7-12, English grades 7-12, and PreK-4. Courtney has worked for Tender Years since 2016 starting as a Kindergarten/School Age Teacher at the Hershey location and moving to Mechanicsburg Center Director in 2018. In 2021, Courtney moved to the Hampden Center Director where she was instrumental in the opening and start-up of the Hampden Center.

In 2022, Courtney’s role changed to Director of Recruitment, where she has used her passions for education and business to actively recruit quality childcare teachers, implement employee engagement programs, and play a key role in the growth and development of the company. Most recently, in July, 2023, she completed her Directors Credential and Masters of Education with a focus on Curriculum & Instruction from Shippensburg University!

In her personal time, Courtney can be found enjoying a hot cup of coffee, scrapbooking, going out with friends, and spending time outdoors with her husband and two boys, Deacon and Dean, and their dog, Declan.