Quality Child Care
We are proud to announce that Lancaster Day Care Center has received Star 4 status in the Keystone Stars program. Please visit the PA Keystone Stars website to learn more about the program and why we are so excited about it!
Lancaster Day Care Center (LDCC) provides high quality, affordable childcare and educational experiences for children 8 weeks old to kindergarten age. Our target population includes low and low to moderate-income working parents and parents enrolled in educational programs. We also serve the homeless population and children in need of protective care through the Children & Youth services program. LDCC currently serves 102 children daily and actively manages a waiting list of children in need of services.
About LDCC...
LDCC was established in 1915 (then known as Lancaster Day Nursery) by a group of women who identified the need to take care of the children of immigrant parents who needed to work outside the home. Some would say, "We've been doing childcare since before childcare was popular." Over our 90+ year history, the demographics and circumstances of the parents have changed radically, but the need for affordable childcare has not. Most of the families whose children are enrolled in our program cannot afford the cost of daycare. This lack of childcare prevents them from gainful employment, completion of their education and jeopardizes their child's development, as they are often not in "learning rich" environments.
We attribute much of our success to our committed, highly educated employees. Our average employee tenure is nine years as opposed to a national average of nine months. Nearly all of our employees are currently pursuing an advanced degree in child development. The Center is proud to financially support them in this endeavor because we believe that higher education will advance the level of care we can provide. Our small class sizes enable us to offer individualized and developmentally appropriate care for our children. Our voluntary involvement in the Keystone STARS quality child care initiative guarantees that our children receive the highest quality of early care and education which research shows will help them be more successful in school and life.
Parenting Skills EducationNot only does LDCC provide high quality childcare, we believe in the power of parent education. We have established Project: Parent Alliance, a comprehensive parenting program for all parents with children enrolled in our Center. The purpose of this alliance is to provide effective, successful parenting programs in a familiar environment. Through a series of workshops, our parents are mentored and taught effective parenting skills, as well as the value of education. At LDCC parents are our partners. We work to improve parenting skills and to teach parents the value of education so that their children will have a better chance of success at school.
Who Funds Our Quality Child Care? 
LDCC offers a need based financial subsidy to fund the difference between what parents are able to pay and the actual cost of care. Research shows that low income children enrolled in high quality care and early learning programs perform better later in life. This subsidy offers parents access to care and the freedom to pursue a career or a degree, which will ultimately improve their family situation and our community.
We are able to fund our quality programs with funds from a variety of sources including:
How Can I Help?
We are sincerely grateful for any support the community is willing to offer. For donations of your time and talent please contact Nancy Jordan, the Center's executive director. Many support our Center with their attendance at any one of our fundraisers from which the profits represent 11% of our overall operational budget. For information on monetary and/or long term contributions, please visit our secure donations page. All gifts to the Center qualify for a charitable deduction for income, estate, and inheritance tax purposes. We thank you in advance for your support. At LDCC, we are grateful for any support the community is willing to offer.
"Uncle Dave" comes in regularly to read to the kids at Lancaster Day Care Center.
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