Give them a smart start with
The Learning Center
Welcome to The Learning Center at Third Street Alliance, a safe, affordable, and licensed child care center in Easton, PA! The Learning Center provides early childhood education for children from 6 weeks old up to age 13 in a creative and educational environment.
not your typical learning center!
Serving the greater Lehigh Valley for more than a century, Third Street Alliance for Women & Children is a multi-program human services agency. Housed in the historic Simon Mansion and the adjoining Bixler-Ward House, we provide the community with 21st century S.T.E.A.M. programming in our Learning Center and expanded supportive services in our shelter for women & children. We believe in the power of communities; when people come together we can change lives.
More Than
Child Care
Child care classrooms offer an individualized curriculum based on your child’s needs and interests which allows all children to learn at their own pace in small groups. Children in our classrooms explore and learn literacy, science, math, art, computers, dramatic play, and other skills with hands-on activities. The Learning Center has achieved and maintained Pennsylvania Keystone STAR 4 status since 2006.
the classrooms
Learn more about each of our classrooms below to find the best option for your child.
Infant to Toddler
The Learning Center has options when it comes to caring for our youngest learners. Infants can begin in our classrooms at 6-weeks of age.
Our infant classrooms help to develop motor skills, muscle-building, and social skills in a small setting. Learning through play is done at every opportunity and the infants receive the nurturing they need to begin a lifetime of learning. Parents can begin the enrollment process before the child is born by contacting Nancy Frederick at 610-438-9413.
The ITCS program is a high-quality, state-funded program that is free to income-eligible families for infants up to age 3. Children learn in a caring and engaging environment with individualized lesson plans for the whole child. Families must be income-eligible and have to apply to the Child Care Works program. Once approved by Child Care Works, families can apply for the program at Third Street Alliance.
Toddler to Pre-K
The Toddler, Pre-School and K-Ready classrooms at The Learning Center include:
- Early literacy in every classroom
- Toilet training in the Toddler classroom
- Kindergarten-Readiness visit local schools during the spring before entering Kindergarten
- Children have daily access to our indoor gymnasium and outdoor play yard.
- All students are provided healthy food for breakfast, lunch and snack based on the USDA guidelines, prepared on-site by a licensed cook and provided at no extra cost.
The Learning Center is licensed by the state of Pennsylvania, and holds a PA Keystone STAR Four rating – a true mark of distinction for child care! For more information on these merits, and what it means for your child, please visit the website of PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning. To enroll your child today, contact The Learning Center Director Nancy Frederick at nfrederick@thirdstreetalliance.org or by phone at 610-258-6271.
Ready to apply?
Pre-K Counts
- Are age 3 and younger than the entry age for kindergarten;
- Live in a household earning up to 300% of the poverty level, such as a family of four earning $83,250. (Income levels can be found here)
- May learn English as a second language, have developmental delays, or other risk factors that may make success in school more challenging.
For more information, email Tanya Falero, Family Engagement Coordinator at TFalero@thirdstreetalliance.org or call Tanya at 610-438-9429. Third Street Alliance provides this opportunity for families that qualify through Pre-K Counts, a state-funded program based on the school-year calendar. The Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts program is based on the quality components adopted for pre-kindergarten by the State Board of Education. Each program offering PA Pre-K Counts classrooms have their own guidelines.
School Age Child Care
The Learning Center offers school-aged child care for children up to age 13. SACC offers a fun learning environment that enhance what children learn in school. Our teachers provide a creative atmosphere for students to continue learning after the last school bell has rung. SACC offers:
- Homework assistance provided by classroom teachers and Lafayette students.
- Transportation arranged with our agency vans to Cheston and Paxinosa Elementary Schools
- Bus stops within walking distance for March Elementary and Easton Area Middle School students
- Programs offered by Shanthi Project, Da Vinci Center, and others through the year.
- Access to S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Lab
The Learning Center is licensed by the state of Pennsylvania, and holds a PA Keystone STAR Four rating – a true mark of distinction for child care! For more information on these merits, and what it means for your child, please visit the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning.
School Age Child Care
The School-Age Summer program is packed with fun activities and field trips as students continue to focus on math, science, and literacy skills. Some of the exciting trips include the Crayola Experience, local zoos, parks, DaVinci Science Center, Aura Ceramics, and Touchstone Theatre! In between learning and fun, students are provided a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack.
Growing Brains
Current COVID-19
Updates & Guidelines
With the health of all of our TLC families and teachers at stake, we will consider withdrawing a family for any obvious and clear disregard for our COVID-19 policies stated below. Our focus and first responsibility if the health of all our students and families during this pandemic and beyond.
- All adults and children older than 2 years old must wear a mask when entering the center.
- Staff will conduct health questions with the adult dropping off and a temperature check as the student enters the building. We will need to exclude any child and staff member with a persistent cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste/smell, fever over 100.0 F, rash, symptoms of inflammatory illness, household member has symptoms, or in close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more.
- We rely on families being truthful and letting the Director know through email, phone call, or Procare if someone in your household becomes newly diagnosed with COVID-19 OR if someone in your household is self-quarantining, has symptoms, or awaiting a test due to a possible exposure to an individual with COVID-19. Email: NRecker@thirdstreetalliance.org
- Should a COVID-19 outbreak occur, the Department of Health will be contacted and their guidance will be followed. Guidance will include a closure of a classroom or closure for the entire center for possibly 2 weeks. It is imperative that if you or someone in your household is feeling ill, you are not sending your child to childcare. We will contact you if your child was in close contact for 15 minutes with a positive COVID-19 individual.
- Children that are excluded due to illness or existing symptom will need a doctor’s note to return to childcare. Children that have been excluded due to a household member ordered to self-quarantine or exhibiting symptoms will need to provide clearance from the child’s physician or a negative test result for individual in the household.
- We will not accept toys or food from home.
- If throughout the day, your child is exhibiting any symptoms of illness, we will keep them separated from the other children in our “sick room” by the gym with a teacher. You will be called regarding your child’s symptoms and we will need a contact person on the Emergency Contact form, to pick up your child within the hour. Your child will need to return with a “return to care” doctor note.
- We will provide hand sanitizer upon entering our building to students that are 2 years old and older. Our hand sanitizer will be at least 60% alcohol and used only under adult supervision. The permission form is to be signed by parent.
- We will need every family to keep their child’s Emergency Contact form updated with current phone numbers and a trusted alternative to pick up.
- We will have our students outside more often and every day. Your child will need weather appropriate clothing.
- Classroom toothbrushing will be on hold until COVID-19 is no longer a concern in our community. With this in mind, please have your child brush their teeth before they arrive to school.
