Trinity Learning Center - Childcare

Where child care nurtures the whole child, as a ministry centered in Jesus Christ and empowered by His Spirit.

Overview

      Trinity Learning Center began as a ministry of Trinity United Church of Christ in 1969, over 35 years ago, and has grown over the years, now caring for about 250 children.  Located at 705 Friedensburg Road in Mt. Penn, PA., our 3.3 acre site includes a full gymnasium, playground and outdoor recreational areas, plus a separate building for infants.

     Trinity Learning Center is a full-service childcare center, Kindergarten and Latch-key program. We are licensed by the Department of Public Welfare and registered with the Department of Education. We provide loving care for children ages two months through Sixth Grade. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 6 AM through 6 PM. We are even open on snow days!

     How is Trinity Learning Center different than most childcare centers? Our mission is to educate, enrich and nurture the children while ministering to them in a Christian environment. Our goal is to act as beacons of Christian love, providing a guiding light so the children may learn about God's love and power by example. Children are encouraged to pray for themselves and others, show compassion and empathy, and shine their light at home and in the community. Older preschool children participate in a short weekly chapel service, conducted by one of the pastors of Trinity U.C.C. The service consists of singing, a prayer, and a short story that helps the children to understand a simple Christian principle or event (like sharing, healing, Christmas, Easter, etc.).  Every Friday, each class meets for an age-appropriate time of Bible story and songs.

    Located in a separate building, the Infant Center cares for infants from two months to approximately sixteen months. The loving caregivers engage the babies in creative play with the child's individual development in mind. The Infant Center is self-contained, with a large gated area for safe free play, a sleeping area, and a separate playground area.

Toddlers

   Children approximately 16 months through three years are placed in three separate age-appropriate Toddler rooms. Toddler programs include music, rhythm activities, art projects, and free play to help develop social skills.

Three Year Olds

   Positive feelings of self-worth, social skills and thoughtfulness towards others are stressed in our three year-old children. Colors, numbers, and shapes are the child's first steps into academics. The child's large and fine motor skills are also enhanced.

Four Year Olds

   Four year olds are introduced to pre-writing, pre-math, and pre-reading skills. The children are involved in art projects, music, fingerplays, and are always encouraged to interact with one another in a caring way.

Pre-Kindergarten

   Preparing the children for their move to Kindergarten is the priority of the Pre-K program. Children are taught to be more independent, and various math and reading concepts are introduced, in addition to printing their names, number recognition and rote counting.

Kindergarten

   The Kindergarten program is registered with the Department of Education and features a math and reading program to prepare children for First Grade. Children learn letter and number identification, word recognition, beginning sounds, opposites, rhyming, vocabulary words, and other academics. A First Grade readiness test is given to each Kindergarten child in the Spring.

Rec-Ed (Latch-Key) Program

   Our before and after school program serves elementary school children from Kindergarten through sixth grades, and includes an afternoon snack, outside games and free play on our playground and field. Time is also set aside for homework, arts and craft projects, table games, and computer games. TLC's full-time Summer program and full day program for days when schools are closed provides care and planned activities for the children.

   For the 2006-2007 school year, Trinity Learning Center has agreements to transport children from our before school program to the following elementary schools:

• Antietam, Exeter, and St. Catherine's

   Trinity Learning Center will also pick up students from these schools for participation in our after school program.

Note: Afternoon Kindergarten children must have their own transportation to their respective schools. Trinity Learning Center only provides the transportation from the schools to Trinity for after school care.