Learning Lamp’s Somerset Child Care Center completes expansion project

SOMERSET, Pa. (WTAJ) — Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children reports that of the 2,324 children under age 5 in Somerset County whose parents require outside care, there are only enough resources to care for half.

The Learning Lamp Center for Children in Somerset is taking steps to help address the issue.

On Thursday, the organization held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the successful completion of its “ Child Care Works for Somerset ” campaign. The campaign was launched in 2021 to renovate and expand The Learning Lamp Center for Children in Somerset. The building is a former gym and was transformed to nearly double the center’s capacity to serve children and families with high-quality, reliable child care.

“This is so exciting to be at the end of this project where we have transform to what was a space that really wasn’t meeting the needs of children and families into one that completely meets the needs of children and families,” Leah Spangler, President and CEO of the Learning Lamp said.

The Learning Lamp has now doubled the amount of Keystone Star 4 Classrooms , which is the highest rating an institution can receive. The playgrounds and the child care spaces were also improved.

“Hopefully other child care centers will see this as a model and have a goal to create quality spaces, because that’s kind of what we’re trying to do, is set a standard for early childhood education,” said Natalie Hinton, Director of the Learning Lamp Center for Children in Somerset.

Before the project was complete, the center could care for 73 children. That number has now increased to 120 kids.

“We’re in the process. I have new kids starting each week. I’m just gradually increasing numbers. We’re hiring more staff, so it’s going really well,” Hinton said.

However, Spangler said that child care is still in a state of crisis.

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“We need investment into childcare. And so I’m asking community members and voters to talk with your legislators about investing in childcare so we’re better able to meet the needs of children and families and put more people to work,” she said.

For more information on childcare spots at the Somerset location, you can contact them at (814)-262-0732 ext. 301.

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