Tarentum child care center launching new pre-school program

A Tarentum child care center is launching a new pre-school program.

The new program has been in the works for three years, said Heather Wells, of West Deer, owner and director of The Growing Garden Child Care Center on Lock Street.

The summer session starts June 10 and runs until the Highlands 2019-20 school year starts on Aug. 29.

The pre-school program will serve up to 10 children age 3 up to entering kindergarten who are potty-trained. Eight spots remained as of Thursday, Wells said.

“We really want the kids to be prepared for school,” she said. “It’s not babysitting.”

Cost is $100 per week part-time and $120 full-time. Half-time is half-days, morning or afternoon, or three days a week, she said.

The Growing Garden is in its fifth year. Wells and two others run it.

It was licensed by the state Department of Human Services in October 2014 and rated as a Keystone STARS 1 facility. It received a second star from Keystone STARS in January.

The Growing Garden has primarily been serving school-age children in the Highlands School District. This year, it expanded its services to other private schools who had children in need of services.

The pre-school program is open to children from anywhere, Wells said.

In the pre-school program each day, children will learn shapes, numbers, letters, and self-help skills. There will be time for songs, stories and quiet. They’ll take trips to nearby places, such as Riverview Memorial Park and the Eureka fire station.

“We want to try to get the kids to understand they live in a pretty cool community,” Wells said. “Don’t just stay in your house, get out.”

Parents interested in enrolling their children in the pre-school program can call the center at 724-224-2834, visit its website at www.growinggardenchildcarecenter.com or stop by at 308 Lock St.