“Start a Child On The Right Road, And Even In Old Age He Will Not Leave It.”
- Proverbs 22:6

TLC is a safe haven in Altoona, PA, with outstanding childcare and school programs for little ones aged six weeks through six years.

Learn All About Us

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.

TLC is designated by the Keystone Stars as a Star 4 center and complies with all standards to achieve that highest level of quality.

Thoughtfully Designed Programs

Childcare

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.

School

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.

A Deeply Held Philosophy

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.

Clearly Defined Goals

TLC’s programs incorporate the best educational standards and guidelines.

• To provide a safe, loving, nurturing and stimulating environment in which children can grow and acquire social skills
• To help each child’s family maintain their child’s good health and promote physical development
• To help each child function effectively with peers and adults
• To help each child develop to the fullest of his or her cognitive abilities

A Dedicated Staff

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.

An Inviting, Secure Facility

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.