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.

Courtney Enterline, Director, Hampden Center

Courtney has been working with Tender Years since the beginning of the 2016 school year as a Kindergarten/School Age Teacher. She is a 2009 Northern York County High School graduate, and received her Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Secondary Social Studies from Millersville University. She is Pennsylvania State certified for Social Studies grades 7-12, English grades 7- 12 and PreK-4. Her experience includes 5 years of teaching various grades, primarily Kindergarten, and has served as the School Age Child Care Coordinator at the West Shore YMCA. Parents will love her passion for teaching, sharing, and interacting with children of all ages!

In her personal time, Courtney can be found spending time outdoors, enjoying a hot cup of coffee with her husband, Craig, or playing with their “puppy dogs”. Courtney and her husband also have two boys in their family, Deacon and Dean.

Rebecca Zalit, Director, Hershey Center

Rebecca is a graduate of Millersville University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She currently holds teaching certifications in elementary and early childhood education, and holds her PA Director’s Credential. Rebecca first joined the Tender Years team as the preschool teacher at our Hershey location. Prior to this, she has worked as a substitute in the public school system and held positions in several different childcare centers from toddler to school age in both Pennsylvania and Georgia.

In her free time, Rebecca enjoys spending time hiking outdoors and preparing for local 5K and half marathon walks and runs.

Allison Homburger, Director, Mechanicsburg Center

Allison is a graduate of Liberty University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology concentrating in Counseling and Human Development. Additionally, she is a Certified Child Life Specialist who is trained in the areas of child development, counseling and psychology, therapeutic play, and children’s concerns and reactions to hospitalization/illnesses. Most of her experiences have been working with children and families in grief support groups or in the hospital environment – supporting families coping with life’s challenges of illness, loss, trauma, and transitions. Prior to this, Allison has worked at the Tender Years Camp Hill location with all age groups and has also worked as a ballet teacher for young children. She has a passion for working with children of all ages and is inspired by children’s enthusiasm to create, learn, and play.

In her free time, Allison enjoys spending time outside hiking and relaxing in her hammock, visiting local coffee shops, and spending time with her two cats, Pepper and Sophie.