Published June 28. 2024 10:46AM
Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, an early childhood education provider in Jim Thorpe, celebrated its inaugural graduating preschool class of 2024 at its center in St. Joseph’s Academy.
The center, which opened in the fall of 2023, was formed after a local demand for increased local childcare access.
Families looking for more childcare options in Jim Thorpe this fall are in luck as Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers expands a free Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts program to St. Joseph’s Academy. LVCC expanded to St. Joseph Academy in 2023 after a survey from the Jim Thorpe Rotary Club surveyed residents and found access to childcare as a barrier to sustainable workforce entry.
“We are an organization that is mission-driven to provide high-quality early education and child care. Early education is in high demand in Carbon County. For us to be able to offer a free Pre-K program to the community in Jim Thorpe is a huge benefit to the families,” said Charles Dinofrio, CEO and president of Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers.
Enrollment for the free PA Pre-K Counts program at LVCC St. Joseph’s Academy is now open, with families served on an income and need basis.
Children must be 3 or 4 years of age by Sept. 1. Families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level are eligible for PA Pre-K Counts. Families can enroll for PA Pre-K Counts at www.lvcconline.com.
The inaugural graduating class at LVCC at St. Joseph's Academy, Cameron Ciabattari, Cooper Chapman and Ivy Safianow perform a show for all the parents in attendance.
Sydney Waidell readies the first graduate for her ceremony. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Ivy Safianow, the first LVCC at St. Joseph's Academy graduate, makes her way to her diploma and her first step toward kindergarten. In the background children are Caleb Klotz, Cooper Chapman, Carson Ciabattari, Addison Whitehead.