Early childhood education is essential for setting your child up for future success. This form of child care benefits young ones cognitively and socially, promotes self-reliance and prepares them academically. Metropolitan areas typically have dozens of programs, making it challenging to choose the right one for your child. Discover how to compare the top-rated early childhood education programs in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or anywhere in Pennsylvania and your best options.
Evaluating Early Childhood Education Programs
Consider these factors when searching for nonprofits, public and private schools, and day care centers offering top early childhood education programs in the state.
- Curriculum: Ensure a provider’s educational philosophy aligns with your value system, so your child learns ideas you deem relevant and essential.
- Learning environment: Tour an organization’s facility in person or digitally to determine whether its space is conducive to learning and promotes safety.
- Schedule: Find out how flexible a provider’s program schedules are to match your daily routine and avoid shift conflicts at work.
- Staff: Verify the credentials of every staff member and ensure the teacher-to-child ratio is as small as possible to ensure higher quality in education and care.
- Support: Understand how an organization communicates with fathers to receive regular updates and immediate responses to questions.
- Location: Look for an early childhood education facility near your residence or workplace to reduce commuting time and enjoy more convenient drop-off and pickup.
- Reputation: Check a provider’s accreditations and/or certifications to assess how it complies with regulations and industry standards.
- Cost: Know an organization’s latest rates, financial assistance options and accepted payment methods to budget for your child’s education accordingly.
5 Top-Rated Early Childhood Education Programs in Philadelphia, Lancaster and Other Pennsylvanian Cities
Here are the five best early childhood education providers in the region.
- The Greater Philadelphia YMCA
The Greater Philadelphia YMCA is ideal for budget-conscious parents with infants, toddlers and/or preschoolers who prioritize socio-emotional learning and character development. This nonprofit’s leading early childhood education programs in the Greater Philadelphia region align with the state’s standards. It offers flexible schedules and financial assistance based on household income on a first-come, first-served basis.
Key features:
- Values holistic development to ensure kindergarten readiness and nurture curiosity
- Uses a conscious discipline model based on Harvard-recognized trauma-informed practices
- Promotes play-based learning
- KinderCare
KinderCare is perfect for working fathers seeking a day center center that has an established curriculum with proven outcomes and offers full-time care for extended periods. It offers top-rated early childhood education programs based on STEM, music, cooking and more. This organization uses an award-winning app for real-time updates and communication.
Key features:
- Serves children with special needs
- Uses a proprietary Early Foundations® curriculum
- Has a WELL Health-Safety Rating certification
- Bright Horizons®
Bright Horizons is a good match for families focusing on kindergarten readiness due to its comprehensive, research-based curriculum, which emphasizes child-led inquiry and exploration within its framework. Fathers with demanding careers benefit from the organization’s year-round and backup care. Its facilities are inclusive and accommodating to celebrate diversity, while its teachers enjoy subsidized early childhood education college degrees.
Key features:
- Extends individualized support to children with special needs
- Values digital technology for communication
- Has a low teacher turnover
- The Malvern School®
The Malvern School is an excellent option for academically inclined parents seeking a day care with extended hours. It offers a supportive environment for first-time fathers navigating early child care decisions. The organization’s wide range of programs for different age groups promises continuity.
Key features:
- Uses a proprietary whole-child development approach with literacy at the core
- Employs college-educated, certified lead teachers
- Has an accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Chesterbrook Academy
Chesterbrook Academy is suitable for parents seeking a program that meshes play-based elements into learning. This organization’s well-rounded Links to Learning preschool curriculum incorporates multiple skills into every activity. Its tech-forward culture means digital technology is a significant part of its operations, from learning to parent communication.
Key features:
- Values creative expression
- Exposes children to the Spanish language
- Keeps parents involved through daily app updates, monthly portfolios, community building events and formal conferences
Comparing Pennsylvania’s Leading Early Childhood Education Programs
Here are the ages and number of locations these top early childhood education program providers in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Lancaster and other metropolitan areas in the state serve and have.
| Organization | Ages Served | Locations |
| The Greater Philadelphia YMCA | 6 weeks to 5 years | 11 |
| KinderCare | 6 weeks to 6 years | 35 |
| Bright Horizons | 0-5 years | 9 |
| The Malvern School | 6 weeks to 8 years | 19 |
| Chesterbrook Academy | Unspecified infant ages
2-4 years |
24 |
Give Your Kid the Gift of Quality Early Childhood Education
Enrolling your little one in a top-rated early childhood education program in Philadelphia, Harrisburg or anywhere in Pennsylvania is vital. It helps ensure your kid develops holistically, laying the foundation for future academic and career success. Each provider has strengths, so learn more about what each has to offer to find the perfect fit for your family.
