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, Sprouting Learners, Pre-K Owl Hill Learning Program, Head Start Preschool Services, 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/Grow The Seed of Learning
An Early Childhood Initiative Ages 0-2, 3-5
“Plant the Seed of Learning” and “Grow The Seed of Learning” are early childhood county initiatives that supports the foundation of learning for children ages birth to age two, and ages three-five. 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 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 the 2020-2021 school year, Plant the Seed/Grow the Seed will be hosting free virtual sessions. Click on the link above for more information.
Sprouting Learners Program
An Early Childhood Initiative Ages 3-5
Manheim Township School District is excited to offer Sprouting Learner sessions for children three- five years of age. We want to support the connection between family engagement and student success. Realizing that families are the crucial link in education, we have developed hands-on, fun learning activities for parents and their children.
Research shows that the child’s home can make the most important contribution to early language and literacy learning. Please join us for 3 hands-on classes throughout the school year as we learn and play together. Each session will offer helpful tips on how to educate children in a playful environment. Free learning kits will be provided for families when they attend the sessions and we will also offer a free dinner afterwards for all attendees.
All sessions are for parents/guardians and their children ages 3-5 years. They take place at Bucher Elementary School from 5:00 pm-6:30 pm. Please click here for the current schedule of classes. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Sharon Schaefer, Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction at 560-3087.
Head Start Preschool Program (Thrive to Five!)
Head Start, is a high quality, pre-kindergarten program for children ages 3 to 5 from income-eligible families. Providing children with early childhood education, family support services, nutritious meals, and health screenings, Head Start’s early learning program emphasizes language, math, science, art, physical activity and social skills to prepare children for school success.
Thrive to Five, in partnership with CAP (Community Action Partnership), offers two programs to children in our district: a classroom option located at Brecht Elementary and a classroom offered at Career Link. The classes are staffed by PA State certified early childhood teachers and qualified early childhood teaching assistants. Students attend the program for a full day (6 hours), 5 days a week (Monday – Friday) during the school year. Materials, and lunch are provided at no cost to families.
The Head Start Career-Link option is open to all of the same families, but is provided in a classroom at Career Link.
Please visit CAP’s website to download the Head Start application and review the income eligibility guidelines. The programs are open to children between the ages of 3-5 from income eligible families. Please review this information on income and family size to determine if your family qualifies for consideration into these programs.
For more information or to enroll your child in the Head Start program, please contact Bobbie Frick at Community Action Program by email or by phone: bfrick@caplanc.org or 717.299.7301, ext. 3012.
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.
Please visit Owl Hill’s website to download the Pre-K Counts application and review the 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. Pre-K Counts is now accepting enrollments for the 2020-2021 school year. Click here if interested in enrolling in the program for the 2020-2021 school year.
Any questions regarding the Pre-K Counts program may be directed to the Owl Hill Learning Center via Julie Mathers at (717) 435-0593 or matherju@mtwp.net.
STEM Starts Now
STEM Starts Now is a digital subscription program that helps infants and children by supporting their parents/caregivers with regular emails tailored to their child’s age and development levels. Parents and caregivers of children newborn to age five in Manheim Township School District can subscribe for FREE by going to www.STEMstartsnow.com. Click on Join, then Group Membership and enter the code MT2020 for a free subscription. STEM Starts Now is sponsored by Owl Hill Learning Centers in partnership with MTSD.
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.
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.