The PA Keystone STARS program helps parents guage the quality of early learning programs for their child. Our expert teachers plan inspired lessons that meet Pennsylvania's state learning standards and engage children's natural curiosity. With nurturing teachers and carefully prepared environments, we provide endless opportunities to explore and learn.
Accreditation is a mark of distinction that helps you find the best possible educational experience for your child. We know that selecting the right care for your child is a big decision, and we understand that you want to be certain that you have made the best choice for your child.
Accreditation is a mark of distinction that helps you find the best possible educational experience for your child. We know that selecting the right care for your child is a big decision, and we understand that you want to be certain that you have made the best choice for your child.
Services
Lily Pond Child Development Centers has its early roots in the 1970s, when it was a collection of child care programs operated by two non-profit entities: Easter Seals of Central Pennsylvania and Day Care Services of Blair County. By 2004, the programs of both entities had merged and were operated solely by Easter Seals of Central Pennsylvania.
Our mission is to provide exceptional, evidence-based opportunities for young children and families to grow and learn to their fullest potential. Lily Pond Child Development Centers has its early roots in the 1970s, when it was a collection of child care programs operated by two non-profit entities: Easter Seals of Central Pennsylvania and Day Care Services of Blair County.
All Lily Pond programs are fully licensed and certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. As a NAEYC accredited program, the LilyPond Early Learning Center is a national leader in high-quality early childhood education. The PA Keystone STARS program helps parents guage the quality of early learning programs for their child.
No two children have exactly the same skills or learning style. That's why we tailor our child-centered environments and approaches to meet the individual learning needs of every child. We provide a balance between choice and structured activities, between group and individual learning, and between teacher-directed and child-directed experiences.
The NAEYC Accreditation system raises the bar for child care centers and other early childhood programs. Accreditation is a mark of distinction that helps you find the best possible educational experience for your young child. Lily Pond Early Learning Center, serving infants to pre-kindergarten, has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) since 2006.
Reviews (9)
Emma Shafer
May 29, 2021
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Critical: Professionalism
There is an employee there I dont remember her name . She is so unprofessional. She shoves the kids out the door as soon as she sees the parent, she gives you no time to ask questions or anything. Plus she seems extremely rude to the other staff. I didnt feel welcomed by her at all.
There is an employee there I dont remember her name . She is so unprofessional. She shoves the kids out the door as soon as she sees the parent, she gives you no time to ask questions or anything. Plus she seems extremely rude to the other staff. I didnt feel welcomed by her at all.
Alexandra Sanchez
Dec 23, 2020
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My daughter has been attending Kids First before and after school since the second grade, in 2016. All the staff I have came across over the years, have been very professional and caring about all the children that they took care of. We were sad that we can’t use them for sixth grade this year, but I couldn’t have had my kiddo at a more wonderful place!!!
Emily White
Nov 14, 2020
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Overall, we have been very happy while having our children at Kids First Development Center. We were extremely pleased with how well they handled the COVID-19 pandemic. We felt they had our child’s safety as their top priority. We are also pleased with the education our children received over the last 3 years. We would recommend this center and would come back if we add any additions to our family.
Rebecca Claar
Dec 04, 2019
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The teachers and staff, down to the maintenance people, truly care about the kids. My grandson has continued to grow & thrive in this facility. Their communication is impeccable with how he does every day. They made a huge impact in our lives by how they care for him. They seek out ways to engage him & have worked with us & his therapists to ensure he has the best possible educational experience to get him prepared for kindergarten. My only regret is I didn’t enroll him sooner!
ZombiePro
Sep 26, 2019
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Ashley Johns
Jun 26, 2019
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There are not enough nice things I can say about Kids First. My oldest son started there 7 years ago and I have never had an issue. We continued to use the after school and summer programs. The staff is fantastic. Having had bad experiences elsewhere in the past it was always nice dropping them off knowing the staff at Kids First would take care of them. Highly recommended!!
Kc R.
Feb 03, 2019
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Lily Pond/Kids First ELC radiates diligence and dedication to the children and families they serve. As a parent, I am beyond thankful for the assistance and comfort the teaching and administrative staff have given me over the last five years. Lily Pond has encouraged me to be the best parent that I can be through the partnership with my child’s classroom teachers and Lily Pond staff. Lily Pond is family. They have always treated us as family from day one when we toured the facilities and met the staff when my son was just a few months until now, nearly five years later. Words cannot express my
Jon Hollobaugh
Nov 18, 2018
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We have had a great experience with this facility. The staff, teachers, and owner are all top notch. They treat you like family and make you feel safe that your child or children are under their watch. My daughter has grown leaps and bounds with the care and detail they put into her daily activities. I would recommend them and have in thr past. One of the best around.
Amy Mcclellan
Oct 13, 2018
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My daughter went to Lily Pond for two years and we loved the school and all the staff!!! We had a bad experience at Begin With Us and were nervous about starting over,all the teachers and staff went out of their way to make our daughter feel comfortable, would highly recommend and wouldn't go anywhere else, the only reason we left is because my daughter is going to kindergarten.