Thank you for your interest in the Children’s Family Center!
We hope that our website is able to answer many of the questions that you have as you’re trying to choose a daycare provider for your child. We hope that you feel, as we do, that our nonprofit status and our award-winning intergenerational program set us apart from our competition. In addition, we would love to have the opportunity to give you a tour of our bright, open facility and allow you to meet our dedicated employees as they play with and teach CFC’s students.
Choosing a daycare provider is a very important, personal choice that you make for your family and we’re happy to answer any questions that you have. We hope to meet you soon to give you a tour of CFC!
Mission Statement
Children’s Family Center is dedicated to providing family-oriented child care for children by promoting physical, emotional and social development. Children’s Family Center also fosters intergenerational linkages between children and senior citizens for their mutual benefit.
History
Children’s Family Center was founded on the desire to support the family by providing quality child care that focuses on meeting each child’s individual needs and encouraging the child to develop in a safe and stimulating environment.
The center first opened its doors in September 1978 within a Mechanicsburg multi-care retirement center providing high-quality child care and early childhood education in an intergenerational setting.
Over the years, the center outgrew its location within the retirement village and relocated to a new, larger facility in June 2011.
Children’s Family Center is a nonprofit corporation and is governed by a board of directors.
Intergenerational Programming
One of the pillars that sets Children’s Family Center apart from other day cares is its reputation and experience in providing quality intergenerational programming.
At Children’s Family Center children and seniors spend their days playing, reading, laughing, doing art projects and telling each other stories- through their interactions they help each other expand their social, emotional, physical, and education horizons.
Senior citizens from the local community, assisted living facilities, or families at the center volunteer as “Grandbears” for various classrooms throughout the center. Grandbears are 55 years of age or older and undergo standard background checks.
Older students are offered the opportunity to attend field trips to nearby Bethany Village, where they play and interact with the residents. In addition, Bethany graciously invites CFC students and their families to evening events, including pizza and movie nights, trick-or-treating, Easter egg hunts, gingerbread house building, and much more!
Children’s Family Center and its exemplary intergenerational program has been in place for the past 30 years.
Seniors interested in volunteering as Grandbears are asked to contact the center at 717-697-5126.
Benefits of Having an Intergenerational Program
Older adults and children have many common needs and benefit from time spent together.
- Older Adults Need
- To Nurture
- To Teach
- To have successful life review
- To share their culture
- To communicate positive values
- To leave a legacy
- Children Need
- To be Nurtured
- To be Taught
- To learn from and about the past
- To have a cultural identity
- To have positive role models
- To be connected to proceeding generations
Board of Directors
An elected board of directors governs Children’s Family Center. We are in need of new members to serve on the board of directors. If you are interested, please fill out a board application (on the download page) and send in to CFC.
Parent’s Association
The CFC Parent Association (PA) encourages all parents to actively participate in the Center’s mission and activities. We hold meetings monthly, and work on project-based activities to support our mission and goals.
The goals of the PA include:
The CFC Parent Association (PA) encourages all parents to actively participate in the Center’s mission and activities. We hold meetings monthly, and work on project-based activities to support our mission and goals.
The goals of the PA include:
- Fundraising
- Establishing a Feedback Loop between Parents and CFC Teachers/Directors and the CFC Board
- Conduct Teacher Appreciation Activities
- Foster Parent Engagement and Communication
- Support CFC’s Intergenerational Mission
The PA is intended to be inclusive, open, and friendly. Our focus is on providing a positive experience for all PA participants, CFC staff and volunteers, and the CFC Board as we support the well-being of our children.
The PA employs convenient communication channels including conference calls and social media to allow all parents to participate according to their individual interests and availability. Every contribution is valuable to support CFC, our children, and each other!
For more information, please see the CFC PA Team Charter: PDF
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