Building on more than four decades of early childhood education experience, Lititz Christian School will open a second early learning center this fall. The Early Learning Center West Campus is set to open on Tuesday, Sept. 2, and will be located at Community Bible Church, 331 Anderson Ferry Road, Marietta.

The new location will help the school serve families in the Donegal School District and surrounding communities, said Amy Hurst, marketing assistant.

"We know the need for quality child care is great, and we've seen firsthand how impactful it can be for families," she explained. "After opening our new center in Lititz and seeing its success - where we now provide care to over 100 students every day - we recognized an opportunity to expand our mission and serve even more families."

One of the school's administrators, Ryan McCracken, is a lifelong member of Community Bible Church and knew the location was ideally situated for families.

The Early Learning Center West Campus in Marietta will offer care for infants through kindergarten students, in addition to before- and after-school care for elementary students in the Donegal School District. This expansion comes in response to growing demand for quality early childhood education and wraparound care in Lancaster County, Hurst shared. Transportation will be provided to the school from Donegal Primary and Intermediate schools.

"We feel incredibly blessed by the opportunity to provide a much-needed service to the Marietta community," said Allyson Harmon, head of school at Lititz Christian. "We are passionate about offering a safe, educational environment where students and families feel loved, supported and deeply cared for."

Lititz Christian opened in 1978. The main campus, serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade, is located on Orange Street in Lititz, with an Early Learning Center on Green Acre Road in Lititz. After-school programs are offered in the school's main building as well as at Doe Run Elementary and Baron Elementary in the Manheim Central School District.

"Our team works hard to meet each child's specific needs, creating a nurturing environment where every student can thrive," Hurst said. "We are more than just a school. We're a family. Relationships matter deeply to us, and we take seriously the trust families place in us. When you enroll your child here, you're not just joining a program. You're becoming part of a community that's committed to partnering with you in your child's growth and development."

The school emphasizes care for the whole child - academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually, she said.

"We believe that each child is fearfully and wonderfully made, and our goal is to nurture them in a safe, joyful environment where they feel known, loved and valued," she said. "We also focus on developmentally appropriate learning experiences that foster curiosity, creativity and confidence."

She emphasized that students receive a well-rounded experience at Lititz Christian School.

"Whether it's exploring through play, learning foundational academic skills or developing social-emotional awareness, our program is designed to prepare children for the next step while keeping Christ at the center of it all," she shared. "When families choose us, they're choosing more than a high-quality education. They're choosing a partnership in laying a strong spiritual and educational foundation for their child's future."

To learn more about the new West Campus in Marietta, visit http://www.lititzchristian.net.