Manheim Township Early Childhood Education Information
Your One Stop Resource for Early Childhood Information
Manheim Township School District is committed to providing and supporting the early childhood education initiative in our community. Below you will find information on early childhood resources such as kindergarten readiness, information on our Plant The Seed of Learning Program, Pre-K Owl Hill Learning Program and our Early Learning Exchange for local preschool and daycare teachers and directors. If you are looking for K-12 enrollment information, please click here.
Plant The Seed of Learning Program
An Early Childhood Initiative
“Plant the Seed of Learning” is an early childhood district initiative that supports the foundation of learning for children ages birth to age two. By age 3, 85% of a child’s core brain structure is formed. This supports the need to connect with families as early as possible.
Participants are invited to attend sessions at various locations across Lancaster County. Classes are held at the Keystone Villa in Ephrata and Women & Babies Hospital. This program is in conjunction with other local school districts. “Plant the Seed of Learning” will offer helpful tips on early childhood education in a playful environment. Local medical professionals, Popovsky Performing Arts personnel, and school districts will present together at the classes.
Please click here to see the current schedule for session topics and locations. Registration information is located on the schedule. We hope you will join the fun! For more information on this initiative, click here.
Grow The Seed of Learning Program
Grow the Seed of Learning will expand the impact of the Plant the Seed of Learning program to children, ages 2 – 4. The early childhood education initiatives of Plant the Seed of Learning and Grow the Seed of Learning support an educational and developmental foundation in the youngest of learners. The classes listed here will offer helpful tips on early childhood education in a playful environment. Local medical and school district professionals will present the classes.
Pre-K Owl Hill Program 
The Pre-K Owl Hill pre-kindergarten program is funded by the PA Department of Education Office of Child Development and Early Learning. It is offered to the district in partnership with the Owl Hill Learning Centers based in Lititz. The program is held at Bucher Elementary School. The classes are staffed by PA State certified early childhood teachers and qualified early childhood teaching assistants. Students attend the program for five and a half hours each day (8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) for 180 days of instruction, following the MTSD calendar. Materials and lunch are provided at no cost to families. Transportation is the responsibility of the family. No busing is offered for this program.
Click on the links below for the Pre-K Counts application and income eligibility guidelines. This program is open to children who will be four years of age on or before August 31 in families at not more than 300% of poverty. Please review this information on income and family size to determine if your family qualifies for consideration into this program.
All families who think they are eligible for consideration into this program are invited to bring the Pre-K Counts application and the accompanying documentation showing proof of income and residency to one of two open sessions at which time members of the PKC strategy team will confidentially verify eligibility. These sessions will be held at Bucher Elementary School at 450 Candlewyck Road. Use the main entrance.
Session 1: Wednesday, March 29 @ 5:00 –7:00 PM
Session 2: Wednesday, April 5 @ 5:00 –7:00 PM
Any questions regarding the Pre-K Counts program may be directed to the Owl Hill Learning Center via Julie Mathers at (717) 435-4117 or matherju@mtwp.net.
Early Learning Exchange
Manheim Township School District works collaboratively with early childhood providers to help students transition to kindergarten. Throughout the year, MTSD hosts an Early Learning Exchange meeting with these organizations to share ideas, research and information to ensure all Manheim Township students reach their fullest potential.
If you are the Director, Teacher or Principal of a local daycare/preschool facility and would like to attend our Early Learning Exchange information sessions, please mark your calendar for the following dates for the 2016-17 school year.
- Tuesday, November 1, 2016
- Tuesday, February 7, 2017
- Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Early Childhood Resources
As your child approaches kindergarten, you may be wondering if your child has developed the skills needed to be successful. The United Way of Lancaster County’s Success By 6 program provides the information you need to ensure your child is ready for school.
