Welcome to Tender Love for Children (TLC) Childcare and School, where each and every child is encouraged, loved and adored.
Under the direction of Mrs. Barbara Crago, TLC provides a unique opportunity for children to grow, to learn, to be happy and to be well cared for when they’re not with their families.
At TLC, we encourage education and social skills in every area. Our curriculum follows the PA Department of Public Welfare guidelines, the PA Department of Education guidelines, the Keystone Stars guidelines with Early Childhood Education and Infant and Toddler curriculum, and the PA Early Learning Standards guidelines.
Our daily childcare programs are distinctly separate and tailored to each child’s age.
Our school programs are designed using the Creative Curriculum Program, the PA Learning Standards and the Self Develop Program of Enrichment activities. The Creative Curriculum provides teachers with a clear and concrete way everyday to apply child development and learning theories in their work with children. The PA Learning Standards provide guidance for the development of programs’ continuum of learning; practitioners assess children’s learning and create classroom and individualized planning strategies that build from infancy and move through the early grades. The Self Develop Program is a blend of the best personal creative ideas from the director and the staff.
Three-year olds on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Four-year olds on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Five-year olds on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Our school director believes that teachers, “must know, love, and care for their students and must encourage the best within each child. Children must be first in our hearts, thoughts, words and deeds.” A loving, happy environment is the TLC foundation upon which children are able to develop their intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth.
Every child deserves a secure, stimulating and stable environment. Toward that end, the TLC staff has made a personal commitment to support the TLC philosophy.
TLC’s programs incorporate the best educational standards and guidelines.
Mrs. Barbara Crago, TLC Director and kindergarten teacher, has been a children’s advocate and teacher for close to forty years. In 1988, she started the TLC Childcare and School. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University in Elementary Education and has taught in the Altoona Area School District. She also owned her own baton school for twenty years.
The TLC staff is a talented, balanced mix of certified teachers and qualified assistants and caregivers who are committed to children and is proud of their special efforts in enhancing learning through play, appropriate fun and educational activities. Our high ratio of staff to child is of great benefit to TLC children.
As TLC Childcare and School is an outreach mission of and owned by First Evangelical Lutheran Church, children who have parental permission attend a weekly children’s chapel service. The church pastor shares with the children the wisdom found in Bible stories and life lessons (which are so often overlooked in our busy lives) on such topics as kindness, cooperation, honesty and other such concepts.
TLC is housed primarily in the spacious educational wing of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in downtown Altoona. The facility is beautifully maintained and well equipped. It is safe and secure, with security cameras throughout and always, a staff member is stationed at the point of entry. The school’s colorful outdoor play park is next door.
TLC is centrally and conveniently located, with parking for drop off and pick up.
You are cordially invited to email us at children@firstlutheranaltoona.org or call at (814) 942-3816 for more information or to make an appointment. We would be delighted to give you an in-person tour of TLC – a loving, secure and happy childcare and school!
TLC Childcare and School
1401 12th Avenue
Altoona, PA 16601
Find Directions
TLC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, disability, national origin, age or sex.
Website Designed By
Suzanne Egan, Inc.