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Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning Now Accepting Applications for Harrisburg Location

HARRISBURG, Pa. – January 11, 2024 – Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS) has started accepting applications for enrollment at its second Early Childhood Education Center located in Harrisburg, Pa. Opening this year, CHS Harrisburg will provide non-residential, year-round care and education to 150 children from six weeks to age 5 from under-resourced and over-burdened backgrounds, with all costs covered for qualifying families.

CHS Admissions

CHS is currently enrolling local-area children who will be six weeks to age 4 at the time of enrollment. The admissions process is thorough, consisting of an initial application, phone call, in-person meeting, and home orientation. Eligible families who meet the minimum admissions qualifications are supported through the admissions process by a member of CHS Harrisburg’s Family Success Team.

CHS Program

CHS Harrisburg, being built at the corner of North 6th and Muench Streets, will operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, delivering a core early learning program with a play-based curriculum designed to enhance children’s educational, social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Supporting the whole child and their family, CHS Harrisburg will supply enrolled children with nutritious meals and personal items like changes of clothing, diapers, and basic medical supplies, all of which will be at no cost. In addition, it will provide enrolled families with integrated family services through a Family Success Center, which serves as a safe place for enrolled families to easily access resources, develop desired skills, complete goals, and meet with both CHS Family Success staff and outside service providers.

CHS Harrisburg Beam Topping (July 2023)
CHS Harrisburg (January 2024)

Teachers and staff for CHS Harrisburg are currently participating in a paid professional development program In preparation for the center’s opening. The program aims to expand their knowledge, build strong team dynamics, and allow them time to fully integrate into the CHS mission before serving children and families.

CHS Harrisburg is part of Milton Hershey School’s (MHS) $350 million initiative to initially develop six Early Childhood Education Centers (ECECs) in Pennsylvania. Other locations include Hershey, which opened in fall 2023; Middletown, scheduled to open in 2025; and New Danville, Lancaster City, and Elizabethtown, expected to begin opening in 2026.

Catherine Hershey Schools

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning are subsidiaries of Milton Hershey School and will be staffed and operated independently of the Milton Hershey School core model.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

© 2024 Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning