Owner/Prekindergarten/Kindergarten Teacher
A Four Star Center in Perkasie
A Keystone Stars Four Star Center in Perkasie, owned and taught by Sandy Detweiler and directed by Diane Gerstenfeld.
Plan a visitHow we see children
Children at Explore and Learn spend their days in creative and free choice play, outdoor play, and structured teacher planned learning through exploration. The goal is to provide a safe, secure setting for each child during their formative years. Activities are chosen to promote social, emotional, physical and cognitive development, and to give each child the opportunity for success. Programs serve children from 6 weeks through 12 years of age.
In the rooms, that means a mix of free choice play and teacher-planned activities throughout the day. Teachers set out materials and plan explorations that invite children to try, repeat, and build on what they know. Outdoor play is part of the rhythm, along with creative work and small-group time. Every part of the day is shaped to support how children grow and learn at each age.
Explore and Learn is fully licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services. Nursery, Pre-School and Kindergarten programs are also licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The center participates in Keystone Stars, a voluntary continuous quality improvement program in Pennsylvania, and maintains the quality of care to achieve the highest star rating of a Four Star Center.
What you notice in practice
Teachers work at each child's level, following their lead and responding to what they need. Small groups let teachers give attention and adjust as children grow, from 6 weeks through 12 years of age. The focus stays on the whole child: social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. Teachers plan activities that offer success through creative and free choice play, outdoor play, and structured learning.
Rooms are set up for both free choice play and teacher-planned activities. Children move between creative play, outdoor time, and structured learning through exploration. The day has a rhythm that gives children time to settle into an activity before moving on. This mix supports social, emotional, physical and cognitive development at every age the center serves.
How we work with families
At pickup, parents hear about their child's day and the moments that mattered. Teachers share what a child played, tried, or learned, not just a generic report. Questions get answered directly by the teacher in the room or by the director. Families can ask staff at any time how their child is settling in. Your child is in great hands.
A new child settles in at their own pace, and the first weeks are shaped around that. Teachers pay close attention to how each child separates from a parent, joins the group, and finds comfort in the room. Families can ask the director what the first days will look like for their child. The goal is a smooth, calm start for both the child and the family.
The people here every day
Director
Diane Gerstenfeld
Assistant Pre-K Teacher
Ms. Casey
Infant Teacher
Ms. Torie
Older Toddler Teacher
Ms. Katie
Preschool Teacher
Ms. Jennifer
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Janine
Teacher