This location was formerly called “Aa to Zz”, but has since been purchased by Kids & Company and now operates with our staff and proprietary programming.
Our location is proudly endorsed by Eco-Healthy Child Care®, a program that partners with child care professionals to eliminate environmental hazards in early learning settings with the goal of protecting the health of children and staff.
We are located in West Hanover Township, in the Brynfield Development area, near the corner of Hershey Rd. and Green Hill Rd. Our standalone building is set back far from the road, and the residential environment provides a quiet and private place for children to learn. We have a large parking lot that parents can use during pick-up and drop-off, and do not recommend this location for parents travelling by transit as the nearest bus stop is about 3.5 miles away.
Inside the building, you’ll find large windows that let in lots of natural light and an architectural design that uniquely suits daycares. Along with colorful and bright classrooms, we also have a cafeteria and a gross motor room for children to get physically active during inclement weather.
Outside we have 2 large and separate fenced-in playgrounds, one dedicated to toddlers and the other for preschoolers. Each area is equipped with age-appropriate structures and toys that children use to develop their gross motor skills. We also have chickens that the children love to help take care of!
Our 8 classrooms can accommodate 92 children in our Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Kindergarten Prep, and School Age programs. The School Age program runs as Before and After School care, School Break care, and Summer Camp. Transit from East Hanover, Paxtonia Elementary, Mt. View, Lingelstown and South Hanover elementary schools are provided with additional cost. Children that are 6 years and under are welcome on a full-time or part-time (3 full days or 5 half days) basis, with backup care being available on an ad-hoc basis.
At Kids & Company, we use an emergent curriculum and learn-through-play philosophy. This means children are presented with learning opportunities in direct response to 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.
We serve our children breakfast, lunch, and snacks each day, all prepared in our on-site kitchens. Formula is also available 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. A Keystone STARS designation means that children are in a safe, respectful environment in which they are learning new things every day to support their current and future successes in school and in life.
Let’s Meet!
If you’re interested in our Schaffner location, please fill out the inquiry form below. You can indicate multiple locations in the comment section if you are unsure about your top choice.
Once submitted, one of our Parent Customer Care representatives will reach out via phone or email within 24 hours (48 hours on weekends and holidays). During that exchange, you’ll be able to ask questions, learn more about fees, book a tour, and find the best suited location for your child.
Hello! I’m Katie Hiddemen, the Center Director of Schaffner. I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Development from Appalachian State University. I have over 13 years of experience in the child care field. I love being able to create a safe, enriching, and loving environment where children can thrive. I love being able to work for a company that takes care of its employees and is passionate about early childhood education where I can put children first. I take so much pride in the fact that our center is often described as a family environment. It is a safe space where all are welcome, and all are embraced for who they are. A family favorite is our unique situation where we have chickens that all the children work together to help take care of.
Kids & Company’s Infant program welcomes newborns up to roughly 15 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 15 months and 2.9 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 2.9 - 6 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.
