Welcome to Kids & Company Palmyra, formerly Aa to Zz. We offer full and part-time programs for children ranging from six weeks through to school age. Our center has 6 classrooms that can accommodate 107 children. We cater to infant, toddler, and preschool ages and also offer a Kindergarten Preparatory program as well as school-age programming before and after school and on public school closures or holidays. We have a large outdoor play space as well as on-site parking available to our families, making for easy drop-offs and pick-ups.
We serve our children breakfast, lunch, and snacks each day, all prepared in our on-site kitchens. Formula is available as well for our infants.
We are proud members of the Keystone STARS (Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources, and Supports) program, a quality rating system that promotes quality improvement in early learning and development programs and school-age child care. Early learning programs participating in Keystone STARS are rated from STAR 1 to a STAR 4. We have been rated as STAR 4, the highest rating, meaning our staff education, learning environment, leadership/management, and family/community partnerships meet the highest performance standards.
Our unique curriculum and emergent approach to learning and discovery, puts children at the center of everything we do. The learning opportunities presented to them are a direct result of their individual interests and skills. Our children are immersed in experiences that enhance language, literacy, a sense of music and rhythm, and socialization so that they may develop independence, confidence, and a positive sense of self and the world around them.
Please note that we partner with Forge Elementary, Lingle Elementary, Northside Elementary, and Pine St. Elementary to provide transportation to and from schools where needed.
My name is Jessica Rupich, and I am the Center Director of Palmyra. I received an AAS in ECE Northampton Community College. I have been working in the child care field for over 14 years. I am passionate about working in child care because I love to watch the children grow and develop. It is amazing to watch them learn something for the first time; the light switches on and you can see them glow. They also teach us, adults, a lot about life. They help you to remember that things don’t always have to be black and white. That there are so many colors in between. Working in child care has brought me so much happiness. My favorite thing about working at Kids & Company is that I feel valued as an employee. They go out of their way to make sure that we feel appreciated. The Center staff are a passionate group and do a wonderful job. Each one of them brings something different to the table and it allows us all to work together well. Where someone may need a little help another can help them. The children love to come here day in and out because of the amazing staff.
Kids & Company’s Infant program welcomes newborns up to roughly 18 months. Infants learn about the world around them through their senses, so exploration is critical to their development. Nurturing educators support the children while they take in their surroundings, encouraging them to experience everything the classroom offers; be it creative art, exploring with blocks, listening to songs or engaging in story-time. Our infant program encourages children to follow their own established routines, while becoming comfortable and secure in a new group setting.
Kids & Company’s Toddler program is for children between the ages of roughly 18 months and 2.5 years. Toddlers are mobile and eager to explore their environment. As they strive for independence, our educators use an Emergent curriculum approach to learning that supports each child’s individuality. Some of the most important learning outcomes of our toddler program are language development, socialization, self-help skills, and the development of fine and gross motor skills.
Kids & Company’s Preschool program is designed for children between the ages of roughly 2.5 - 5 years. Our educators interact, observe and interpret the interests of our children to encourage discoveries. Our Preschool program provides a foundation for developing greater independence and problem-solving skills; the program integrates new concepts into our children’s world view, promotes sharing and mutual respect, and prepares them for Kindergarten.
Kids & Company’s School Age program accepts children from 5 - 12 years old (Grade 1 - 6) and is available at select locations. Programs include Before and After School Care, School Break Programming, and Summer Camp. Classroom space exists for smaller groups to gather, and activities are designed to meet the needs of varying developmental levels, touching on arts, science, math, drama, imaginative play, and physical fitness. Educators are also available to provide academic support for children that wish to do their homework during After School Care.
