Childcare Center

About Us

The Germantown Academy Child Care Center is a private, licensed facility that provides on site child care for faculty, staff, siblings, and alumni of Germantown Academy.  Hours of operation are from 7:30AM to 5:45 PM. The center is closed on legal holidays and official school breaks.  During the winter and spring breaks, the center is open on selected days for an additional fee if there is enough interest.

We are located in the corner of the main parking lot of the school, near the Morris Road entrance. The main building is home for the Explorers, Cruisers and Adventurers groups, and the Pickering House holds the Voyagers group.

See info at the lower right of this page for information about Age Groups.

Philosophy

The goal of the Germantown Academy Child Care Center is to provide a safe, nurturing environment in which adults develop meaningful relationships with children.  Caring for and educating children is the main focus. We believe the primary role of any early childhood professional should be to respect, understand and promote each child’s unique potential and natural growth. Children learn and grow at their own pace with the loving guidance of our staff.

Licensing

We are regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and abide by their standards of operation. This includes staffing requirements and facility requirements. Staff attend regular trainings on topics such as first aid, Infant CPR, emergency preparedness, program planning, and behavior management.
 
We provide:

  • Mats or age appropriate cribs for naps.
  • Daily circle time
  • Weekly Gym class
  • Music class 
  • Structured age appropriate projects and crafts
  • Free time outside and inside, with ample space and equipment for play
  • Periodic walks around campus
  • Parent conferences (minimum of two times per school year, in December and in May.)
Parent / guardian will provide:
  • All transportation to and from child care
  • Medical care as needed
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Meals (lunch is required, breakfast optional)
  • Diapers, wipes, ointment
  • Sunscreen
  • Sleeping bag or linens for nap
  • Change of weather-appropriate clothes in case of accident.
  • Parents also supply a week’s worth of snack for each group on a rotating basis, providing healthy options.

Contact Info

Child Care Center
215 646-6494

Carol Zeuner, Director
267-405-7310

Files

Child Heath Report Form - (CD 51 PA DPW)

These forms need to be kept up to date. The Director has the right to refuse care of the child if they are not.

The Contract - contracts are issued in the spring for the following school year. Please contact Carol Zeuner for the appropriate form. Priority is given to returning and new children of faculty and staff, followed by other returning children, and then other new children as space allows. The school reserves the right to withdraw a child care contract if the previous year’s balance is not paid in full by July 1.

Hours

Daily Program:
Monday - Friday
7:30 am to 5:45 pm 

Summer Hours
We provide child care during the same 6-week GA Summer Programs schedule. There is no child care in the month of August.  Summer child care is only offered to students who were enrolled during the previous school year.

Billing

Fees are based on a 10-month contract which follows the Germantown Academy school year calendar. Tuition is billed from the business office in 10 equal monthly amounts. Contact Carol Zeuner for current rates.

Age Groups

(these groups are based upon a june 1 cutoff)

Explorers - babies ages 8 weeks to 15 months old. In the Explorers room, our nurturing staff are vigilant about health and safety. They interact with each child individually to enhance development of self-awareness.

Cruisers - children are 15 months to 2 years old. This program begins learning colors and shapes. They also promote skills that foster self-reliance (children need to be walking to be in this group).

Adventurers - older 2 year-olds and 3 year-olds. Through the use of age appropriate stories and activities, the staff teaches socialization skills and implement curriculum focusing on numbers, letters, shapes, colors and themed units. They also focus on potty training, independence, sharing and taking care of their belongings. 

Voyagers - 3 and 4 year-olds.  The child must turn 3 years old by June 1 for the upcoming school year. This age group is a one-year program. In addition, children must be fully potty trained before joining the Voyagers. The Voyager program emphasizes learning letters and numbers and skills that foster self-reliance. We currently use the "Handwriting Without Tears" method for learning writing skills. In addition, there is a great value placed on community. The goal of the program is to prepare students for a structured PreK program the following year.