History and Enrollment Information

The Dickinson College Children's Center (DCCC) was established by the Dickinson College Dickinson's Board of Trustees to provide child care for children of faculty, staff and students.

Alumni, Penn State Dickinson School of Law staff and students (Penn State), employees, employeed grandparents and community families may also use the Center child care facilities.

The Children's Center may enroll 80 children; therefore, enrollment cannot be guaranteed for children of incoming faculty and staff. The Center maintains a waitlist, and it is advised to apply to the waitlist at the earliest possible time.

Priority for enrollment is given to the following:
1. Children of Dickinson College employees and students
2. Children of Dickinson College alumni
3. Children of law school staff and students
4. Grandchildren of Dickinson College employees
5. Siblings of currently enrolled children
6. Children of community members

Accreditation Information

DCCC has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) since 1991 and was the first child care center in the county to achieve this recognition. You may obtain more information at: www.naeyc.org.

In accredited early childhood programs you will see:

1. a healthy and safe environment for children
2. communication with parents
3. nutritious snacks and/or meals
4. specially trained teachers
5. enough adults to respond to individual children
6. planned learning activities and materials appropriate to children's age and development
7. frequent, positive, warm interactions among adults and children

In addition, DCCC was the first center in the Commonwealth of PA to receive a four-star rating in the Keystone STARS program. The Center was presented with this distinction on September 12, 2002 by then-Governor Schweiker. Keystone STARS is a system of continuous quality improvement for child care through standards, training, assistance, resource and support.

The Department of Public Welfare is the Center's regulating agency. The Preschool and Kindergarten are licensed as a non-public school through the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Relationship to Dickinson College

The Children's Center is an integral service of Dickinson College, and is a department of the College under the division of Support Operations. As such, the College makes all final policy determinations. However, parent participation is encouraged and welcomed through both the Parents Group and the Advisory Committee.

All parents are invited to become active members of the Parent's Group. This body meets bi-monthly to lend support and guidance to their children's daytime home for their children. Three members of the Parents Group are elected to serve on the Advisory Committee. Other members of the Advisory Committee include college professional faculty and staff members and non-parental residents of the community. The director, assistant director and vice president of campus operations are non-voting members of the Advisory Committee.

Parent fees fund operating expenses. Fund-raising activities support scholarships for eligible children and equipment costs. Scholarships are based upon family income and the number of people in the family. Eligibility must be discussed with the director and will remain confidential.

Tuition Subsidies

DCCC also accepts children that are subsidized through CCIS or other agencies.
To find out more about the CCIS program contact:

Child Care Network
Suite 201
1416 Trindle Road
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-4014
1-800-358-8725