For Our Children » PA's Promise for Children

PA's Promise for Children—Because Every Child is Pennsylvania’s Future, is a coordinated statewide campaign to raise awareness about the value of quality early learning for all of our young children, and build responsibility among every Pennsylvanian for the early learning of young children in their lives. The campaign is designed to increase public awareness about the value of quality early learning to improve children’s success in school and life; to strengthen families; and to improve Pennsylvania’s economic outlook.

PA Pre-K Counts, is a program designed to prepare at-risk children for kindergarten.  In its four years of operation, the program has seen incredible success in how well the students progress through kindergarten.  In Adams County, there are currently Pre-K Counts programs at Little Life Enrichment Center in New Oxford and Pathstones in Aspers.

Keystone STARS, another Commonwealth initiative, is a criteria rating system developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to reward regulated centers and day care practitioners providing quality early learning experiences to children in their care. Early learning educators and home care practitioners enrolled in Keystone STARS, progress through levels to achieve higher STARS designation, starting with STAR 1, then achieving STAR 2, STAR 3, and STAR 4 designation. Keystone STARS provides Standards, Training/professional development, Assistance, Resources, and Support (STARS) to facilitate continuous quality improvement. Financial incentives and/or technical assistance are provided to STARS enrollees through the South Central Regional Key.

In Adams County, almost all regulated centers and several home day care providers are enrolled in Keystone STARS. Parents seeking quality early care and education for their children should consider utilizing a Keystone STARS participating practitioner. A current list of local participants is below.

For additional information about Keystone STARS facilities in the county, to locate other regulated child care facilities, or to learn about child care subsidies, contact Child Care Information (CCIS) by phone at (717) 334 7634 or 1 (800) 232 6562.

Adams County Keystone STARS Participants