As parents, our primary role is to nurture and support our children’s development- physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Starting with a strong educational foundation is crucial to children’s developmental success. We sat down with two preschool directors in our area to get their take on the importance of early childhood education.
Danville Child Development Center (DCDC)
Denise Baney, Executive Director at DCDC, has an incredible wealth of knowledge regarding this topic based on her long lasting experience and her own education. She states:
“Early childhood care and education (ECCE) plays a pivotal role in shaping a child’s future, laying the foundation for lifelong learning, emotional well-being, and social success. The benefits of quality early education extend far beyond the preschool years, influencing individuals and society in profound ways. Investing in ECCE is essential—not just for children but for creating a healthier, more equitable world.
With over 17 years of leadership, management and administration in ECCE as a Childcare Director, Head Start Director of Operations, and now Executive Director at Danville Child Development Center, I have dedicated my career to creating high-quality learning environments for children and families. In these roles, I have led teams, implemented impactful programs, and fostered meaningful growth for children, families, and staff.
The first five years of life are a time of rapid brain development. During this critical period, children’s experiences shape the formation of neural connections that influence learning, memory, and problem-solving abilities. High-quality early education provides a stimulating environment where children can explore, ask questions, and build cognitive skills that prepare them for formal schooling and beyond.
Equally significant is the impact on social and emotional growth. In ECCE settings, children learn to interact with peers and adults, practicing skills such as sharing, cooperation, and conflict resolution. These early interactions foster emotional intelligence and resilience, equipping children to navigate complex social situations throughout their lives.”
Danville Child Development Center is Montour County’s first and oldest non-profit early learning program. DCDC opened its doors in February of 1974 with the primary goal of providing the highest quality child care and early education to local children. Today, DCDC on Wall Street and Bloom Road are the only accredited programs by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in Montour County. Both are designated Star 4 (out of four) in the Keystone STARS quality rating system.
Bluebird Atelier (Lewisburg)
Bluebird Atelier (pronounced uh·teh·lee·ay) is a creative learning studio that offers hands-on arts & STEAM education for all ages. Located in downtown Lewisburg, Bluebird’s schedule includes classes for preschool, school age children, teens and adults, as well as children’s birthday parties and summer camps for kids. New for the 2025-26 school year, Bluebird has expanded to include a boutique preschool and pre-k program based on the philosophy that cultivating lifelong learning begins in early childhood. They plan to offer educational enrichment for the early learner that is unmatched in the Susquehanna Valley.
Jessi Almstead, Bluebird’s founder, told us:
“There is an exciting influx of new research in the area of brain development in the early childhood years. The brain grows and blossoms extraordinarily rapidly from the prenatal stage until age 5. Early experiences greatly affect the way the child’s brain develops. For example, research shows that a 6-month-old can discriminate speech sounds from a wide variety of world languages, even when their parents cannot. This is because the brain is highly plastic in the early years, as synapses are actually overproduced at this stage. As the child ages, these synapses are “pruned” to get rid of irrelevant or unused connections. This pruning process is guided by the child’s experiences. This is what we focus on. Bluebird’s preschool program immerses the early learner in an environment rich with sensory exploration, social learning, and exposure to concepts that will shape their growing minds to their fullest potential. Our approach, which is inspired by Reggio Emilia, is truly child-centered and holistic. We observe the child as an individual, and curate learning experiences, or “provocations,” based on their interests and readiness to dive deeper into a subject or acquire a new skill. We value language arts, and offer Spanish immersion, as well as literacy and vocabulary building. STEM, the creative arts, social studies, and, most importantly, social-emotional learning, are integrated throughout the program.”
Our Preschool Listing
Our Columbia/Montour County Preschool Listing is an incredible tool that we will soon be expanding to include more preschools in the Snyder, Union, and Northumberland county areas. Check it out!
Don’t See Your Favorite Preschool Listed?
Local PreK Counts & Head Start Programs:
The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) created a great guide to these programs, which are income-based for eligibility. Their Early Childhood Services guide includes lots of helpful & informative links.
PreK Counts:
An initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pre-K Counts is administered by the (CSIU) in nine local school districts: Bloomsburg, Berwick, Central Columbia, Line Mountain, Millville, Milton, Shikellamy, Southern Columbia, & Warrior Run.
Head Start
Head Start is a free, comprehensive child development program for families with children ages three to five (who are not enrolled in kindergarten). Learn more by clicking the area-specific buttons below:
Looking for a Way to Determine the Quality of Childcare?
Check out this awesome guide- its a great resource to help you decide if the institution you’re looking into is right for you!