Childcare FAQ — Little Acorns Erie PA

We accept children from 6 weeks old through 5 years of age. Our four programs — Nursery (6 weeks to 13 months), Sprouts (12 to 24 months), Saplings (24 months to 3 years), and Great Oaks (3 to 5 years) — are designed for each developmental stage.

We are open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Children must be dropped off before 9:00 AM to participate in the full program. Teachers are not permitted to allow children to enter before 7:00 AM.

We are located at 2104 Zimmerly Road, Erie, PA 16509, near Kearsarge Fire Department and Millcreek Community Hospital.

We use the HighScope Curriculum, which encourages active learning through hands-on experiences with people, objects, events, and ideas. Children's interests and ideas are at the heart of the program. We believe play is truly a child's work.

Yes! Our Nursery program accepts infants from 6 weeks to 13 months. Our littlest learners follow their own individual schedules with nurturing teachers who engage them through snuggles, lullabies, and meaningful floor play. This is our only classroom that requires M-F enrollment.

Visit our Enrollment page to review our admission procedures or email us at littleacornslearningcenter@gmail.com for more information.

Parents are required to provide: seasonal outerwear, bedding for naptime, AM snack for the class per our snack calendar, pacifier (if used), all diapering supplies, bottles and formula/breastmilk (for infants), a packed lunch, and a minimum of 1 complete set of extra clothing.

We use a keypad entry system to enter our facility. Authorized persons will receive their own individual code. Codes are terminated upon withdrawal or changes in authorized people.

Billing statements are sent each Friday with the balance due the following Monday. Accounts not paid by Monday close are subject to a $10/day late fee. Accounts not paid by Friday may be placed on a waiting list. Our tax ID is 81-2450785.

Parents in our Nursery room will provide all bottles with formula or breastmilk and food needed during the day. Parents in all other classrooms will provide a packed lunch that does not require heating and an AM snack for the class according to our monthly snack calendar. LALC will provide milk and water throughout the day and the PM snack. In addition to these items, we will also provide special treats on theme days/holidays.

The center closes at 5:00 PM. Parents arriving after 5:00 PM will be charged $10 each additional minute past 5:00 PM.

Each classroom has 2 full-time teachers and 1 part-time teacher. Classroom environments are set up to provide opportunities to explore materials and test ideas. Each classroom has their own emergency exit and individual fenced in playground.

Each teacher has a smaller group of children within the classroom that they are matched with and responsible for. This provides a consistent person to share information with parents — someone who truly knows your child.

We observe the following holidays: MLK Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, 3rd Friday of August, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Winter Break (Christmas Eve through New Year's Day). Some holidays serve as staff training days.

All lead teachers (World Changers) have a credential in Early Childhood Education. All assistant teachers (Difference Makers) are encouraged to obtain a credential in Early Childhood Education. All staff are required to complete professional development each year in addition to topics such as fire safety, emergency preparedness, first aid and mandated reporting for child abuse/neglect. All teachers have required clearances on file.

Visit our Schedule a Tour page to book through our online calendar, or email us at littleacornslearningcenter@gmail.com. We love showing families what makes Little Acorns Learning Center special!

LALC seeks to provide an environment where every child can safely explore the world around them to test ideas and learn from their mistakes. We LOVE to make messes and engage in sensory play such as slime, rice table, and painting. We believe kids are washable and encourage full body play. Our Core Values of Connections (with families and each other), Home (making a homelike atmosphere), Interactions (positive encouragement and support when the world is too much to handle), Loved (we hug here!) and Dedication (we are always learning) provide us with our true focus... the CHILD.

Children with the following symptoms will be called to be picked up from care within one hour: Fever of or over 100.4 with a behavior change, vomiting, 2 or more bouts of diarrhea or a rash that is causing discomfort (beyond a diaper rash). Children must remain out of care the next calendar day and may return after the waiting day if they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.