Looking for toddler daycare near you? At Tender Years, our toddler daycare program gives children the safe, nurturing, and structured environment they need to grow with confidence.
You can find full and part-time toddler care options at all of our centers: Camp Hill, Carlisle, Hampden Township, Hershey, and Mechanicsburg.
Our toddler classrooms are designed for children from 12 months to 3 years old, with groups divided by age and developmental needs. This allows our caregivers and teachers to support each child at the right stage, whether they are taking first steps, learning new words, practicing routines, building independence, or preparing for preschool.
Through guided play, songs, stories, art, movement, outdoor time, learning centers, and caring interaction, Tender Years helps younger and older toddlers develop important early skills while feeling safe, loved, and supported throughout the day.
Why Families Choose Tender Years Toddler Daycare
Tender Years provides more than supervision. We provide a warm, structured toddler care environment where children are encouraged to explore, learn, communicate, and grow. Families choose Tender Years for toddler daycare because we offer:
- Care for toddlers ages 12 months through 3 years
- Full- and part-time care options
- Age-appropriate classrooms for young toddlers and older toddlers
- Groups divided by birth date and developmental needs
- Curriculum based on Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards
- Theme-based lessons that make learning fun and engaging
- Indoor and outdoor gross motor play
- Art, music, books, songs, finger plays, and learning centers
- Regular developmental observations and evaluations
- Breakfast and afternoon snack provided
- Potty-training support when appropriate
- Parent communication through a convenient app
- Open-door policy for parents
- Qualified teachers who are passionate about early education
- Support for independence, social skills, and emotional growth
- 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 toddler daycare program combines trusted experience, state licensing, quality-focused early learning practices, and the nurturing daily support toddlers need during this important stage of development.
Learning Through Play
At Tender Years, toddlers learn through active, hands-on experiences. Each week, our toddler teachers plan activities based on a weekly theme or topic, with age-appropriate developmental objectives based on Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards. Each day, toddlers may participate in:
- Art projects or tactile activities
- Gross motor exercises indoors or outdoors
- Songs and finger plays
- Theme-related books
- ABC and counting practice
- Free play in learning centers
- Social interaction with classmates
- Creative exploration
- Classroom routines that build confidence and independence
Our daily schedule allows children to learn, move, rest, play, and explore in ways that are appropriate for their age and stage.
Supporting Independence, Social Skills, and Emotional Growth
Toddlers are learning how to understand the world, express their feelings, follow routines, and interact with others. This is an exciting stage, but it can also bring big emotions and new challenges. Our caregivers use positive guidance to help toddlers learn safe and appropriate behavior. This may include:
- Modeling appropriate behavior
- Using age-appropriate language
- Redirecting children when needed
- Praising positive choices
- Helping children calm down
- Teaching safe play
- Encouraging gentle interaction with others
- Supporting children as they learn boundaries
The goal is always to help children feel safe, learn appropriate behavior, and build the skills they need to participate successfully in a group setting.
Toddler Care by Age and Stage
Toddlers grow and change quickly. A 12-month-old and a 2-year-old may both be toddlers, but their needs, abilities, routines, and interests can be very different. That is why Tender Years separates toddler classrooms by age and developmental needs.
Young Toddlers
12 to 24 Months
Our Young Toddler rooms are designed for children from 12 months to 24 months old. The designated adult-to-child ratio in Pennsylvania for young toddlers is 1 caregiver for every 5 children.
At this stage, children are often learning to walk, climb, communicate, follow simple routines, explore safely, and interact with caregivers and peers. Our caregivers support young toddlers with patience, encouragement, close supervision, and age-appropriate activities.
Young toddler care may include:
- Floor play and movement
- Simple songs and finger plays
- Early language activities
- Theme-related books
- Art and tactile activities
- Indoor and outdoor gross motor play
- Learning centers
- Practice with routines and transitions
- Support for safe exploration
- Comfort and reassurance throughout the day
Older Toddlers
24 Months to 3 Years
Our Older Toddler rooms are designed for children from 24 months to 3 years old. The designated adult-to-child ratio in Pennsylvania for older toddlers is 1 caregiver for every 6 children.
At this stage, children are becoming more independent. They may be using more words, showing stronger preferences, learning to play with others, practicing self-help skills, and beginning potty training.
Older toddler care may include:
- Theme-based classroom activities
- Art and tactile experiences
- Books, songs, and early literacy
- Counting and ABC practice
- Learning centers and free play
- Indoor and outdoor movement
- Social interaction with peers
- Practice with sharing, waiting, and routines
- Support for potty training when appropriate
- Early preparation for preschool routines
What Toddlers Need and Parents 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 feel connected to their child’s day. Tender Years uses a convenient app called Tadpoles to help keep families informed.
Daily Grams are completed through our Tadpoles app and emailed at the end of the day. These updates may include:
- When and what your child ate
- When your child slept
- Diaper changes or potty-training notes
- Notes about your child’s health and disposition
- Special moments or activities from the day
- Reminders when supplies are needed
Other parent information, such as schedules, newsletters, menus, calendars, and center updates, may be posted in the classroom, sent by email, or placed in your child’s cubby or mailbox.
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 academic, social, emotional, and developmental growth.
Every child develops at their own pace. The purpose of these observations and evaluations is to help our teachers plan meaningful activities, individualize care, and support each child’s development.
Open Door Policy
Tender Years has an open-door policy. Parents are welcome to visit their child during the day.
We ask visitors to be considerate of the classroom schedule and activities. If you visit during nap time, please silence cell phones and keep voices low. Some toddlers may become upset when a parent leaves after a visit, so nap time may not be the best time to stop by for children who are sensitive to transitions.
Schedule a Toddler Daycare Tour
The best way to learn more about toddler 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 toddler program supports learning, movement, independence, communication, routines, and social-emotional growth in a safe and caring environment.
Toddler Childcare Locations
Tender Years toddler care is available at all Tender Years locations. Please contact your nearest center to confirm current openings, schedule options, and availability.
What to Bring for Toddler Daycare
To help your toddler feel more at home, families are asked to provide certain items from home. These may include:
- A labeled sippy cup
- Diapers & wipes
- Diaper ointment, with proper permission
- Extra clothing
- Extra socks
- Bibs, if needed
- Additional underwear and clothing for potty training, if applicable
- Seasonal outdoor items, such as a hat or protective clothing
- Crib sheet and blanket or small sleeping bag for nap time
- A small comfort item, such as a stuffed animal, special blanket, or “lovey”
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.
Your child’s teacher or center director will provide additional guidance before your child’s first day.
