When Donegal Primary School lost its before- and after-school program, Steps to Success stepped in. The Leola-based nonprofit, which provides child care for children ages 6 weeks to 13 years, has operated school-age care programs in the Conestoga Valley School District since 2020. Expanding to Donegal seemed a natural fit for the organization, said Adriana Witman, school age administrator.

"We had seen success with Conestoga Valley, and when we learned there wasn't a program anymore at Donegal Primary, we knew we could help," she said. The before- and after-school care program is scheduled to begin on Monday, Aug. 29, the first day of the 2022-23 school year.

Steps to Success was founded in 1995 by Michelle Harbaugh. A Millersville University graduate with a degree in elementary education, Harbaugh taught private kindergarten in Philadelphia, among other positions. "When I was in Philly, I thought, 'Why can't I do something like this in Lancaster?'" she recalled. She opened Steps to Success to offer child care that focused on education. "We truly care about children," Harbaugh said. "We take a holistic approach to a child's best interests."

At Donegal Primary, Steps to Success will operate on school days from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. "We'll have a kindergarten enrichment program that will tag team with the kindergarten teachers to focus on programming that complements their curriculum," Witman noted. Overall, the programs will focus on everything from gross motor skills to arts and crafts, outdoor play and homework help. "Our teachers are very hands-on and interactive," Witman said.

She noted that the program will also provide something extra beyond child care. "We give families extra time at the end of the day to just be a family," Witman stated. "We help with homework. The kids get snacks so they're not asking for dinner the second they walk in the door. People can come home after work and after school and just focus on family time."

As the program grows, Steps to Success hopes to eventually expand before- and after-school opportunities to Donegal Intermediate School and is collecting a wait list of interested families. Harbaugh said she's also excited about growing connections with area organizations in the Donegal School District. "I'm working with several community partners, including Kinderhook Early Learning Center and Faith Factory," she said. "I believe in building community partnerships."

Witman noted that space is limited for the Steps to Success program at Donegal Primary, and she encouraged families to sign up early. To register, families may call Witman at 717-803-5441 or email her at Adrianawitman.steps@gmail.com.