Looking for private Pre-K near you? Pre-Kindergarten at Tender Years helps children build the academic, social, emotional, and self-help skills they need to feel more confident as they move toward Kindergarten.
Full- and part-time Pre-K options are available at all Tender Years centers, including Camp Hill, Carlisle, Hampden Township, Hershey, and Mechanicsburg.
Whether your child is learning to write their name, recognize letters and numbers, participate in group activities, follow classroom routines, or build friendships, our Pre-K program provides a warm and encouraging environment where children can learn, play, and thrive.
Why Families Choose Tender Years Pre-K
Tender Years provides more than childcare. We provide a trusted early learning environment where children are encouraged to learn, explore, create, communicate, and grow. Families choose Tender Years for Pre-K because we offer:
- Pre-K for children ages 4 to 5
- Full-day and half-day Pre-K options
- Curriculum based on Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards
- Theme-based lessons that make learning meaningful and fun
- Early literacy, writing, math, science, art, music, and movement
- Regular developmental observations and evaluations
- Parent-teacher conference opportunities
- Breakfast and afternoon snack provided
- Parent communication through a convenient app
- Qualified teachers focused on Kindergarten readiness
- Licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
- Participation in Pennsylvania’s Keystone STARS program
- A local, family-owned childcare provider trusted by families since 1984
- More than 40 years of experience providing quality early education in Central Pennsylvania
As a local, family-owned business, Tender Years has been caring for children and supporting families for more than 40 years. Our Pre-K program combines trusted experience, state licensing, quality-focused early learning practices, and the caring classroom support children need before Kindergarten.
A Pre-K Curriculum Designed for Kindergarten Readiness
At Tender Years, our Pre-K curriculum is based on Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards and is designed to support the foundational skills children will need when they enter Kindergarten.
Children learn through a balanced mix of teacher-guided instruction, hands-on activities, creative projects, classroom routines, and play. Each week, lessons are built around a theme that may reflect the seasons, holidays, classroom interests, or the world around us. Pre-K themes may include:
- My Family
- Feelings and Friendship
- Fall Weather
- Holidays Around the World
- Hibernating Animals
- Dental Health
- Windy Weather
- Caterpillar to Butterfly
- Seeds to Flowers
- Earth Day
- Diversity and Tolerance
- Outer Space
- My Community
Weekly lesson plans are posted for parent review, and families are encouraged to ask their child’s teacher about planned activities, classroom goals, and developmental progress.
Building Early Academic Skills
Pre-K is an important time for early learning. At Tender Years, children practice foundational academic skills in ways that are active, age appropriate, and engaging. Our Pre-K program supports:
- Letter recognition
- Phonics and early reading skills
- Storytelling and language development
- Name writing and early writing practice
- Counting and number recognition
- Shapes, sorting, graphing, and simple math concepts
- Science exploration and experiments
- Fine motor development
- Gross motor development
- Sensory awareness
- Art, music, crafts, and creative expression
Children are also given time for self-directed play in classroom learning centers. This balance of structured learning and play helps children build curiosity, problem-solving skills, independence, and confidence.
Learning Through Play
Children learn best through a variety of experiences, including play. That is why play is an important part of the Tender Years Pre-K classroom.
Through play, children practice communication, cooperation, creativity, problem solving, imagination, movement, and decision-making. They also learn how to share materials, take turns, explore new ideas, and work alongside classmates.
Our Pre-K classrooms include many opportunities for children to learn through:
- Classroom centers
- Pretend play
- Building and construction
- Art and creative projects
- Music and movement
- Books and storytelling
- Science and discovery
- Math and sorting games
- Fine motor activities
- Gross motor play
This approach helps children build academic skills while also developing independence, confidence, and a love of learning.Our daily schedule allows children to learn, move, rest, play, and explore in ways that are appropriate for their age and stage.
Supporting Social and Emotional Growth
Kindergarten readiness is about more than academics. Children also need to practice listening, taking turns, following directions, expressing feelings, solving problems, and participating in a group.
Our Pre-K teachers use positive guidance to help children make good choices and develop self-control, responsibility, cooperation, and confidence. Guidance may include:
- Modeling appropriate behavior
- Praising and encouraging positive choices
- Redirecting children when needed
- Explaining why an action is inappropriate
- Helping children use words to express feelings
- Encouraging non-violent problem solving
- Using practical, safe, and logical consequences
- Communicating with parents if concerns develop
The goal is always to help children learn appropriate behavior, feel safe, and develop the social-emotional skills they need for school.
What Little Learners Need and Families Want
Meals, Snacks, and Daily Needs
Tender Years provides a nutritious breakfast and afternoon snack. Menus are posted in the classroom and available for families to review.
For lunch, families may choose to pack a lunch* or purchase a hot lunch through our catering service for an additional cost. Menus are available to help families make lunch choices.
Families may also bring in a special snack for a child’s birthday after communicating with the child’s teacher.
*When packing lunch, please note that Tender Years is not permitted to microwave food for children. Hot foods may be packed in a thermos, or families may send items that are ready to eat. All items that require refrigeration must be labeled before being placed in the refrigerator. Please do not send glass bottles. Regarding food allergens, Camp Hill and Carlisle are nut & allergy-conscious; Hampden, Hershey, and Mechanicsburg are nut-free. Contact your center director for details.
Daily Communication with Parents
We know parents want to stay informed and involved in their child’s day. Tender Years uses Tadpoles, a convenient mobile app, to share daily updates, classroom activities, reminders, and other important information with families.
Parents may also receive posted lesson plans, schedules, newsletters, menus, permission slips, and messages from their child’s teacher or center director. Families are encouraged to check Tadpoles, email, and their child’s cubby or mailbox regularly.
Open communication between families and teachers helps us better support each child’s learning, behavior, routines, and overall development.
Observations and Evaluations
Our teachers make regular observations to track each child’s developmental progress. Several times a year, Tender Years may complete a formal evaluation of your child’s progress at school.
Families are given the opportunity to schedule a parent-teacher conference to review the evaluation and discuss their child’s Pre-K experience, academic growth, social development, classroom participation, and Kindergarten readiness.
Every child develops at their own pace. The purpose of these observations and evaluations is to help our teachers plan meaningful activities, individualize support, and encourage continued growth.
Full-Day and Half-Day Pre-K Options
Tender Years Pre-Kindergarten offers both full-day and half-day options, making it easier for families to choose the schedule that works best for their child.
Half-day Pre-K may be available in the morning or afternoon. Full-day Pre-K provides a more complete daily routine with classroom learning, play, meals, rest time, and structured activities throughout the day.
Availability may vary by location. Please contact your local Tender Years center to learn more about current openings and schedule options.
Schedule a Pre-K Tour
The best way to learn more about Pre-K at Tender Years is to visit your local center, meet our team, and see the classroom environment for yourself.
We would love to show you how our Pre-K program helps children build early academic skills, social confidence, independence, creativity, and Kindergarten readiness in a safe and caring environment.
Pre-K Locations
Tender Years Pre-K is available at all Tender Years locations. Please contact your nearest center to confirm current openings, schedule options, and availability.
What to Bring to Pre-K
To help your little learner feel comfortable and prepared, families are asked to provide certain items from home. These may include:
- Extra clothing
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Short-sleeved shirt
- Two pairs of pants
- Two pairs of socks
- Several pairs of underwear
- Crib sheet and blanket or small sleeping bag for nap time
- A small soft nap-time comfort item, if needed
Large pillows are not needed and should not be sent. Bedding will be sent home for laundering at the end of the week or when soiled. Please check your child’s extra clothing regularly to make sure it still fits and is appropriate for the season, and replace any items after they are used.
Your child’s teacher or center director will provide additional guidance before your child’s first day.
