Full-Day Child Care and Early Childhood Education registration is now online! If you do not have access to a computer or smart phone, stop by the Lancaster Rec Center and we will help you get registered. Visit https://form.jotform.com/231764343825055 to register today! 

Please note: printed registration forms will continue to be accepted for Pre-K Counts ONLY. ALL OTHER Full-Day Child Care and Early Childhood Education registrations must be done online. Pre-K Counts registration can be done online or by paper.

Lancaster Rec provides child care programs that are state licensed by the PA Department of Human Services and measured by Keystone STARS, a state-supported and funded quality improvement program. We nurture positive social and emotional success by planning activities and educational programs that meet age-appropriate goals in a high-quality, safe environment.

Lancaster Rec employs a child-based curriculum that is aligned to the state academic standards and utilizes planned activity centers as the method to achieve hands-on learning. Through observation and discussion of the children’s interests and abilities, the staff plans activities and lessons to support each child’s development and learning. Lancaster Rec partners with the School District of Lancaster, the Child and Adult Care Food Program and other government-funded organizations to build an environment of success for your child at our facilities.

To view our Overdue Balance Policy click here.

To view our Health and Safety Protocols for our Early Childhood Education programs, click here.

Locations and Availability

  • Full-Day Infant and Toddler Care

    Location: Lancaster Rec Child Development Center at JP McCaskey

    Ages: Infants (6 weeks+), toddlers to age 3

    Dates: Monday – Friday, Year round

    Times: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

    Registration Information

    The Lancaster Rec Child Development Center at JP McCaskey utilizes a play-based curriculum that emphasizes social, cognitive and physical development through age-appropriate activities. This curriculum also incorporates the State’s Early Learning Standards. The newly-remodeled, 5,000-square-foot center at JP McCaskey provides a safe, nurturing and happy place for children of teens attending the high school, so that they can stay in school and graduate. The center is also open to children of School District staff and the community at-large. The child development center provides breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, diapers and formula. Parents must provide enough bottles/cups for each feeding per day. The child development center has its own separate entrance, outdoor playground area, five child care rooms, office, laundry room, family room and observation room. The center has space for teen parents to complete homework, prepare for interviews, cook meals, or spend quality time with their children in a comfortable environment. We work closely with the McCaskey Early Childhood Education Program students who observe and volunteer in the child care rooms. First-year students mainly observe; second-year students take on actual child care provider duties with the guidance and mentoring of our staff. At graduation the students receive either Assistant Group Supervisor or Child Development Associate credentials, making them workforce ready.


  • Full-Day Preschool Care

    Locations: Lancaster Rec Child Development Center at JP McCaskey

    Ages: 3-5 years (if toilet trained)

    Dates: Monday – Friday, Year round

    Times: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m

    Registration Information

    The Lancaster Rec Center and the Lancaster Rec Child Development Center at JP McCaskey Full-Day Preschool Care programs utilize a play-based curriculum that emphasizes social, cognitive and physical development through age-appropriate activities. This curriculum also incorporates the State’s Early Learning Standards. Each day children participate in learning centers that include music, art, cooking, science, math, language and small group activities. Children are provided a nutritious breakfast, lunch and a light afternoon snack and beverage each day.


  • Pre-K Counts

    Locations: Lancaster Rec Center | Lancaster Rec Child Development Center at JP McCaskey

    Ages: 3-4 years (if toilet trained)

    Dates: Monday – Friday, Following SDoL school-year calendar

    Times: Lancaster Rec Center 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (wrap-around care available from 6:30-8 a.m. and 3-5:30 p.m.) | Lancaster Rec Child Development Center at JP McCaskey 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (wrap-around care available from 7:30-8 a.m. and 3-4:30 p.m.)

    Pre-K Counts is a FREE state-sponsored program that is offered by Lancaster Rec in partnership with the School District of Lancaster. Pre-K Counts enrollment is based on a child’s needs and the family’s income. Children are provided a breakfast and lunch. To complete an online Pre-K Counts application, click here. To print a paper copy of the Pre-K Counts application, click here . For program details, to determine eligibility and to enroll, contact Don at dyeager@lancasterrec.org. If you have a Pre-K Counts student ready for kindergarten, you can register online at https://sdlancaster.org/enroll-your-child/kindergarten-registration/.


  • SUMMER PRESCHOOL - Shining Stars Preschool Program

    Location: Lancaster Rec Child Development Center at JP McCaskey

    Ages: 3-5 years

    Dates: Monday – Friday, June – August

    Times: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

    Shining Stars Preschool Program is an extension of our school year where we offer affordable summertime education and quality child care for your child. Our guiding philosophy is that children learn best through meaningful play. Our curriculum focuses on hands-on, child-driven activities with the staff guiding and supporting your child to the next level of his or her development. Shining Stars Preschool Program has attained the STAR 4 level in the state Keystone STARS quality child care initiative, the highest rating for a child care program. Daily breakfast, lunch and snack are included.


Preschool Wrap-Around Care

Preschool Wrap-Around Care is available only at the Lancaster Rec Center and Lancaster Rec Child Development Center at JP McCaskey. Breakfast is provided during Before School Care and snack is provided during After School Care.

Lancaster Rec Pre-K Counts

Wrap-Around Care is available before and after the scheduled hours of these programs. Children will stay at the location where they attend Pre-K.

All-Day Camp

Location: Lancaster Rec Center

Ages: 3-5 years (if toilet trained)

Dates: See below

Times: 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

All-Day Camp is held on teacher in-service days, Act 48 days, conference days, and during school recesses and vacations except Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Memorial Day. Sign up for All-Day Camp is limited, and children must be signed up in advance. Snow days may affect the schedule of All-Day Camp. Children will receive breakfast, lunch and a snack. All-Day Camp Dates

Registration

All Summer Preschool registration is now online! If you do not have access to a computer or smart phone, stop by the Lancaster Rec Center and we will help you get registered. Please note: printed registration forms will no longer be accepted. ALL registration must be done online.

Visit https://form.jotform.com/231764343825055 to register today! Your spot is reserved once you receive a payment confirmation email from Lancaster Rec. An annual non-refundable registration fee of $70 (plus $10 for each additional child from the same family) is due at the time of registration and at the beginning of every new school year. Children are not permitted to attend Child Care programs until all items have been turned in. A complete registration consists of the following:

  • Completed and signed Child Care Agreement
  • Completed and signed Attendance Contract
  • Completed and signed Health Assessment Form (Physical) and Immunization (Shot) Records
    • Physicals and Shot Records less than one year old are required for older toddlers ages 2 to 3 years, Preschool children ages 3 and 4, Grade K-5 and Grade 5 and up
  • Copies of any Custody/PFA Court Documents, if applicable
  • Copies of child’s IEP or IFSP, if applicable
  • Completed and signed Child and Adult Food Care Program Enrollment Form, for children ages 5 and under
Registration QR Code Physical/Health Assessment Form Fees Overdue Balance Policy Infant Meal Enrollment Form (under 1 year old) Meal Enrollment Form (over 1 year old) Early Childhood Education Behavior Policy

Resources and Contact

Questions? Contact Marisol at 717-392-2115 x138 For questions during the hours of All-Day Camp, call 717-989-0261.

This handbook outlines our philosophy, policies and procedures. Please read this handbook carefully prior to bringing your child for child care.

Early Childhood Education Family Handbook

If you would like automatic withdrawal of child care fees from your checking, savings or credit card accounts, please complete this form.

EFT Form Haga clic aquí para la versión en español.