Second Street Learning & Technology Center
Located in Opportunity House at 430 North 2nd Street, the Second Street Learning Center opened in October 1996 to give homeless mothers an opportunity to participate in life skill classes offered at our shelter. It quickly became the answer to working parents in the Reading area. A combination of an increased need for these services and support from the community allowed the learning center to expand their hours, becoming the first 24-hour a day, 7-day a week childcare program.
Our current hours are Monday through Friday 5:30 am to 9:00 pm.
We are focused on meeting the needs of low-income families in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The learning center added an additional seven classrooms in September 2011 with the construction of the Technology Center, an environmentally friendly building with LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Today, our program serves over 350 children a year in the community, ages 6 weeks to 13 years old. Of these children served, 98% come from families at or below the poverty level. We welcome children of all abilities with the commitment to provide quality care and education to every child. Our classrooms are staffed by a qualified team of professionals, including supervisors, teachers, assistant teachers, and aides. Dedicated volunteers also assist our staff. We are accredited through the Keystone Stars Program (Star 4) and are committed to continuously enhancing the quality of the learning program through Keystone STARS while maintaining compliance with program regulations.
Services Offered:
- Nutritious Meals and Snacks
- Indoor Activities – circle time, age-appropriate crafts, storytime and more
- Outdoor Activities – summer camps and field trips
- Rest Time – scheduled afternoon naps
- Transportation – provided during the school year for children attending schools in the Reading and Mount Penn school districts as well as Catholic schools
- After School homework support
- Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts – for children ages 3 to 5 years old
Partnerships
- We use this program for referral services for children with challenges
- Early Intervention/SAM – We use both of these programs as referral services for children with challenges
- Head Start – We transport to the Head Start Programs in order to help Pre-K children prepare for kindergarten the following year
- Reading Recreation – Our school-age children are able to participate in summer camps provided by Reading Recreation
Contact
- Lisa Tumbleson, VP of Childcare, Phone: 610-374-4696, x 254, Email: ltumbleson@@opphouse.org
- Tatiana Cardona, Assistant Director, Phone: 610-374-4696, x295, Email: tcardona@@opphouse.org
- Crystal Rowles, Head Teacher, Phone: 610-374-4696, x243, Email: crowles@@opphouse.org
Infant
The infant classroom is for children 6 weeks of age to 11 months. Our highly qualified staff is able to provide close attention to your little one. The children are able to crawl, learn to take small steps and begin to socialize with peers. Scheduled music and movement classes are a favorite of all our infants. Our staff is able to provide personal attention and promote basic intellectual and social skills by reading books, singing songs and emotionally supporting each child’s growth and development.
Preschool
Our 3 to 5 year olds spend their days participating in early literacy activities, math, and comprehension skills through hands-on learning, structured activities and independent exploration. Work sampling as well as Ages and Stages measures the progress of child development throughout the year. The staff continues to nurture each child and supports the self-help skills that they began to learn as toddlers. As child develop we assess each child’s ability to recognize letters, shapes, colors, sight words and sounds.
Toddler
Our toddler classroom is the first transition for infants. At 11 months they begin to spend part of their day in the toddler area. This classroom and is geared toward teaching our toddlers self-help skills, such as being potty trained, how to drink from a cup and self-feeding skills.
School Age
As children reach their school-age years they enjoy peer socialization, fun games, introductory learning experiences and time outside for physical activity. The children are offered a variety of centers and activities based on the STAR program, and are assisted and supported with their school work each day. They also have access to Reading Eggs, a literacy based software program that enhances literacy skills. In the summer this age group has the opportunity to participate in off-site activities.
FAQs
Q. Do you provide meals for the kids in daycare? How much does it cost?
Q: Do you provide transportation? How much does it cost?
Q: Do you take children in the daycare program with special needs?
A: Yes, we accept children with a variety of special needs. Children are evaluated on a case by case basis. (We are not able to provide tube-feeding.) For specific questions, please email Lisa Tumbleson, VP, Second Street Learning Center.
Q: What are the hours of the Second Street Learning and Technology Center?
Q: What do I need to bring in order to register my child at the Second Street Learning Center?
Please bring the following:
- Copy of child’s most recent physical
- Copy of child’s immunization records
- Child/Children’s Social Security Card
- Child/Children’s Medical Card
- Your Photo I.D.
- Registration fee
Q: What do I need to drop off with my child for infant care?
Q: What does it mean to be an accredited Keystone STAR 4 Center?
We are accredited through the Keystone Stars Program (Star 4) and are committed to continuously enhancing the quality of the learning program through Keystone STARS while maintaining compliance with program regulations.
Q: What if my child has an IEP?
Q: Will you make my baby’s formula if I provide a mix or powder?
SUCCESS STORY
SSVF Veteran from Homeless to Homeowner
“It wasn’t easy, but I was determined,” said Nathan W., sharing his path to homeownership. This former Army Veteran and Supportive Services for Veteran Families graduate, knows the value of hard work and perseverance. Nathan grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania and enjoyed track and field, and cross country during his time at Reading High […]