Welcome to Kids & Company West York, formerly Aa to Zz. We offer full and part-time programs for children ranging from six weeks through to five year olds. Our center has 6 classrooms that can accommodate 86 children. We cater to infant, toddler, and preschool ages and also offer a Kindergarten Preparatory program. 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. 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 Wallace Elementary, Lincolnway Elementary, Trimmer Elementary, and West York Middle School to provide transportation to and from schools where needed.
Hello! I’m LaTashia Stephens, the Center Director of West York. I received a Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) and a Minor in Ethnic Studies from Shippensburg University in 2017. I have over 7 years of experience in the child care field. My passion has always been building relationships with the children so that they can always count on me to be there no matter the situation. I love seeing progress in every child, how they engage more in learning activities, and how they make friends. The entire idea of progression makes me excited for the future and even more passionate to continue! Working with Kids & Company gives me the tools to help my children succeed, they have provided my site with new equipment, material, carpets, etc. which shows me that they care about us, and they want our children to be successful. What makes our Center unique is the building; for those of you who haven’t seen it, it looks like a castle!
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.
