Amid a patchwork of forests and farm fields near Red Lion, baby goats climb atop a downed tree. A horse slowly bobs to the fence to greet children as they arrive at Cassandra Keiser’s in-home Kidding Around Childcare program.
The idyllic farm theme carries into her program, where cutouts of tractors, pigs, and cows dot the walls of the facility and hang from the new drop ceiling. Many recent upgrades at Kidding Around Childcare have been possible because of an Every Child Has Opportunities (ECHO) Innovation Grant through Community Connections for Children, which advocates for families by providing high-quality early learning solutions.
Enhancing the future through early childhood education
In January, Cassandra received a $41,181 grant through ECHO to use toward upgrading her early learning program. She immediately got to work improving the space and enhancing safety, accessibility, and educational quality.
A new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant entry door with smart-lock technology, a Dutch door on the bathroom, and permanent gates in the main teaching area allow for better supervision and safety for her students. A mini-split HVAC system, drop ceiling, and water filtration system help make the environment safe and comfortable.
Cassandra optimized the space by opening a walk-through from one side of the room to the other. She designed calming areas, such as a reading nook complete with stuffed animals and books for older children. Initially she furnished the in-home facility with used and donated equipment. Now, new furnishings and a learning center enhance her program and its opportunities for educational play.
All of the upgrades have helped transform the space into a professional early learning environment while maintaining the more personal feel of home-based care. Cassandra’s next big goal is to expand Kidding Around into a group home center, which would allow her to serve up to 12 children instead of the current six.
Congressman assesses accomplishments
Cassandra launched Kidding Around Childcare in 2022 and it quickly moved from STAR 1 to STAR 4 status, the top rating for child care, in Pennsylvania’s Keystone STARS program. To achieve and maintain STAR 4 status, Cassandra must continually meet high standards for quality and improvement.
She keeps daily self-reflection logs and periodically is observed by a peer to ensure her personal and professional growth. Thanks to an ECHO-funded Professional Development Mini Grant, Cassandra will attend her first early childhood education conference this summer in Dallas.
Her accomplishments of attaining STAR 4 status and upgrading her program through the ECHO Innovation Grant caught the attention of U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, whose district includes the Red Lion area. In April, he visited Kidding Around Childcare to see the impact of Community Connections for Children and ECHO’s Innovation Grants. His visit helped shine a light on the essential work being done across the country in homes such as Cassandra’s and underscore why early childhood education should remain a priority for local and national leaders.
An important resource for kids and parents
For Cassandra, the lawmaker’s visit didn’t just provide an exciting day. It served as validation of the impact she is making in the world of early learning.
“It was very exciting to have the Congressman come to my home and tour my child care program,” she says. “It made me feel like all the hard work finally paid off. I’m moving toward my goals and establishing my dream.”
Cassandra sees the visit as proof that early childhood education matters and that what happens at small in-home child care programs can influence the broader landscape of education and workforce development.
“It shows this is an important field,” she says. “It’s important for children and also for parents who need to know their kids are in safe, enriching environments while they work.”
Every Child Has Opportunities is an early childhood education initiative in York County, Pennsylvania, led by Community Connections for Children and York County Economic Alliance. Funding partners include WellSpan Health, the J. William Warehime Foundation, the Powder Mill Foundation, United Way of York County, the Kinsley Foundation, and the York County Community Foundation.
For more information on ECHO’s grant programs, visit www.echoyork.org/grants-and-programs.