Looking for reliable before and after school care for your child near you? Tender Years provides a safe, structured, and caring environment for school-age children up to 12 years old. Morning and/or afternoon options are available at our centers in Camp Hill, Carlisle, Hampden Township, Hershey, and Mechanicsburg.
Our Before & After School Care program gives children a comfortable place to start and end the school day, while giving busy families the support they need. Children can enjoy age-appropriate activities, indoor and outdoor recreation, reading time, homework help, and a nutritious afternoon snack.
School bus transportation is also available between select Tender Years centers and local elementary schools, making before and after school care more convenient for families.
Why Families Choose Tender Years Before & After School Care
Tender Years provides more than a place to wait before or after school. We provide a safe, supportive environment where school-age children can relax, play, learn, complete homework, and connect with friends.
Our Before & After School program offers:
- Care for school-age children up to 12 years old
- Before school and after school care options
- Bus transportation to and from select local elementary schools
- Age-appropriate educational activities
- Indoor and outdoor recreation, weather permitting
- Reading time
- Homework help
- Afternoon snack provided
- Supportive caregivers who understand school-age children
- Licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and 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 supporting children and families 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 Before & After School Care program combines trusted experience, state licensing, quality-focused practices, and the dependable daily support school-age families need.
A Better Start and End to the School Day
Before and after school can be a challenging time for busy families. Tender Years helps make the day easier by providing care in a familiar, welcoming environment.
Before school, children have a safe place to arrive before the school day begins. After school, children can transition from the classroom to a more relaxed setting where they can have snack, play, read, work on homework, and enjoy time with friends.
Our goal is to help children feel supported while giving parents peace of mind.
After School Activities and Homework Help
After a full school day, children need time to recharge. Our Before & After School Care program provides a balanced routine that may include quiet time, homework support, reading, structured activities, and active play.
Children may participate in:
- Homework help
- Reading time
- Age-appropriate educational activities
- Indoor recreation
- Outdoor recreation, weather permitting
- Creative activities
- Social time with friends
- Games and group activities
- Afternoon snack
This balance gives children a chance to complete schoolwork, relax, move, play, and enjoy time with peers in a safe and supervised setting.
A Safe, Supportive Environment for School-Age Children
School-age children are growing in independence, but they still need structure, supervision, encouragement, and positive relationships with caring adults.
At Tender Years, our team helps children practice responsibility, kindness, cooperation, problem solving, and respect for others. Children are encouraged to make good choices, participate in activities, and treat classmates and caregivers with care.
Our Before & After School Care program gives children a familiar place where they can feel comfortable and supported before and after the school day.
School Transportation Available
Each Tender Years center is located on a school bus route serving a nearby elementary school. Children enrolled in our Before & After School Care program may ride the district-provided school bus between their school and the participating Tender Years center, with Tender Years staff escorting them to and from the designated bus stop.
| Tender Years Center | School Transportation |
|---|---|
| Camp Hill | To and from West Creek Hills Elementary, East Pennsboro School District |
| Carlisle | To and from Middlesex Elementary School, Cumberland Valley School District |
| Hampden | To and from Shaull Elementary School, Cumberland Valley School District |
| Hershey | To and from Hershey Elementary School, Derry Township School District |
| Mechanicsburg | To and from Winding Creek Elementary, Cumberland Valley School District |
What School-Age Children Need and Parents Want
Afternoon Snack
Tender Years provides a nutritious afternoon snack for children in our After School program.
Menus are posted in the classroom and available for families to review. If you would like to bring in a special snack for your child’s birthday, please communicate with your child’s teacher.
All items that require refrigeration must be labeled before being placed in the refrigerator. Glass bottles should not be sent.
Communication with Parents
We know parents want to stay informed. Tender Years keeps families updated through classroom communication, posted menus, center updates, and conversations with caregivers and directors.
Parents are encouraged to speak with their child’s teacher or center director about schedules, transportation, homework needs, special instructions, or any questions related to before and after school care.
Open communication helps us better support each child and family.
Schedule a Tour for Before & After School Care
The best way to learn more about before & after school care 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 program helps school-age children start and end the day in a safe, caring, and convenient environment.
School-Age Childcare Locations
Tender Years before & after school childcare is available at all Tender Years locations. Please contact your nearest center to confirm current openings, schedule options, and availability.
