Child care program in Connellsville gives peace of mind to working parents
A child care program at Highlands Hospital in Connellsville is growing strong and wants to continuing expanding to serve the residents of Fayette County.
Founded in 2003 in Johnstown, nonprofit The Learning Lamp began by offering one-to-one tutoring that was accessible to all students, regardless of ability or income.
Leah Spangler, president and CEO of The Learning Lamp, said the organization鈥檚 mission is to engage all children in the support they need to succeed from birth, and continuing with critical development in the infant, toddler and preschool years.
In 2020, the organization expanded to deliver peace of mind to working parents by caring for more than 1,000 infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children to give the highest quality care, education and support services to the communities it serves.
Spangler said one such location that opened this past April at Highlands Hospital in Connellsville.
鈥淚t happened out of the need Highlands Hospital had with employees with finding child care,鈥� Spangler said, adding that the hospital had some space available to open the center.
The center accepts children from birth to age 12, offering full-day care from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Programs include preschool for ages 3, 4 and 5 taught by a certified teacher, summer camps and school-age care on days off from school.
The center is not just available for children of hospital staff, as it鈥檚 open to all children.
Unlike many organizations being negatively affected by the pandemic, The Learning Lamp Center for Children at Highlands Hospital, 700 Park St., was established because of the pandemic with parents needing a safe child care option for their children.
The center accepts tax-deductible donations as well as donations of gently-used children鈥檚 book and toys as there鈥檚 a need for those books and toys for the infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very excited to be in Connellsville,鈥� Spangler said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a great experience working in Fayette County, and we鈥檙e looking forward to find other opportunities here.鈥�
For more information visit The Learning Lamp鈥檚 website at www.thelearninglamp.org, email at info@thelearninglamp.org or call 1-814-262-0732.