Agency Type: Non-Profit
Child Care - Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers, School-Age (Year Round)

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Programs:

Blair Care Centers provides high quality, affordable child care and educational support for all children in safe, clean, fun, nurturing surroundings.  We serve children from infancy to the end of the summer that follows their sixth grade year.

Blair Care Centers is committed to providing an environment that promotes child growth and development in the areas of cognitive, motor, self-help, social, and emotional skills.  Children learn through interactions in an environment which is specially designed to meet their individual interests and developmental needs.  Our proven low staff-to-child ratios throughout our programs demonstrate our commitment to quality care and individual attention for all children.

Blair Early Learning Centers operate year-round at two locations to conveniently serve families.  Children from six weeks to their entrance of first grade are served at the Leopold site, located at 2713 West Chestnut Avenue, Altoona.  Half-day kindergarten children are transported to Baker and Ebner Elementary Schools.  Little Lions accommodates children from three years to the entrance of first grade.  Little Lions is located in the Juniata Elementary School, located at 418 North Eighth Avenue, Altoona.

Lead Teachers provide sound educational expertise in the classrooms.  They have graduated from college programs in Early Childhood Education, Human Development and Family Studies, or Elementary Education, and are certified by the state of PA.  They are assisted by well qualified Associate Teachers who have completed courses far beyond the state required minimums.  Teaching Aides also assist in the classroom.  Orientation, annual and on-going trainings, annual health assessments, and individual counsel/evaluation sessions are required for all teachers and assistants.  All staff members are certified in First Aid and Fire Safety; most have had CPR and Water Safety courses.

Foster Grandparents share their love and expertise in our programs also, bringing a wonderful complement of intergenerational diversity to the classrooms.  Other volunteers are also welcome and utilized in the classrooms when appropriate health and clearance forms are filed.  These include students doing work-study, internships, and school-to-work students.

Flexible scheduling allows for weekly changes as work or study schedules change.  Drop-In care is available for occasional users on an hourly-fee basis.  Conferences support parents in determining the best steps for care and education.  Referrals for special evaluations are made at the parent's request.  Our teachers work cooperatively with other human service agencies such as Learning Express and Head Start.

Hours of operation are 6:15 AM to 6:00 PM weekdays.  Call for a list of closed holidays.

Preschool Programs are offered at both early learning center sites.  Both Preschool Programs begin at 9:00 AM and end at 11:30 AM.  The programs run from the day after Labor Day until the day before Memorial Day.  Certified teachers lead the programs, plan and teach the lessons, and evaluate each child's progress.

For more information about the Early Learning Centers or the Preschool program, call 949-2056.

Blair School-Age Centers offer opportunities for children to choose their own activities, complete homework, or relax before or after a busy day at school.  A variety of planned activities is offered to generate wise choices in use of leisure time and to foster self-esteem and social competence.  Staff members encourage children to accept, understand, and express their own feelings, as well as respecting those of others around them.

Nine locations operate during the school year.  Within the Altoona Area School District eight centers are located at the following elementary schools: Ebner, Irving, Juniata, Juniata Gap, Penn Lincoln, Pleasant Valley, Washington-Jefferson and Wright.  (When school is closed, children meet at Leopold Center or at Juniata).  In Tyrone, a school-age center operates on school days at Tyrone Elementary.  (When school is closed, the children meet at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Tyrone).

 Hours of operation vary slightly dependent on the start and end of the school day.  All sites open by 6:30 AM and close at 5:30 PM or 6:00 PM.  Breakfast is available at all sites.

School-age care is also available on in-service days, snow days, two-hour delays and vacation days from school.

During the summer, four locations serve families' needs at Leopold, Juniata, Greenwood and Tyrone.  Special activities and field trips are arranged to give the children a memorable summer.  Kickball tournaments among the four sites, swim trips to area pools, visits to area play parks, Curve games, and other sites are enjoyed by all.

For more information about Blair School-Age Centers, call 949-2055.

Our Goals and Objectives
To help each child develop a positive self-image.
To encourage each child to express his/her creativity.
To foster a sense of self-respect, respect for others and respect for other's property.
To help each child learn to control his/her own behavior through making wise, thoughtful choices.
To help each child learn to actively participate as an individual while maintaining a team support effort with his/her peers.
To encourage communication among peers and adults in order to improve language skills, social skills and negotiating skills.
To encourage listening skills and to develop skills in following directions.
To encourage thinking skills, problem-solving and decision making using good judgment.
To offer a variety of experiences that will be enjoyable and stimulating on the child's interest, ability, and development levels.
To foster curiosity in the world in which he/she lives.

Affiliations
Blair Care Centers, through Day Care Services of Blair County, Inc., is a member of these organizations and agencies: Pennsylvania Child Care Association, USA Childcare, United Way of Blair County, Blair County Chamber of Commerce, National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Payment Plan
Payments are due on monday for the week of service.  Sibling discounts are applied to the older children in the family.  CCIS subsidies through Child Care Connection may be available to qualifying families.  Scholarships may also be available through Blair Care Center or Penn State Altoona.  For more information, call our office. 

Free Days or Credit Days are earned by private paying clients based on paid attendance.  Free nutritious, catered meals and snacks are provided at all sites at specified times.  Security systems are functioning at most sites to protect children and staff from unwelcome intruders.