When the topic of early childhood education comes up, you can’t have the conversation without mentioning The Learning Experience, conveniently located at 8829 New Falls Road in Levittown.
The Learning Experience, which colorful building catches your eye, cares for about 100 children regularly. From the moment you enter its doors, the staffs’ passion for working with children and forming relationships shines through.
“Every day is a new day, and it is a really rewarding type of atmosphere,” explained Tina Smith, who has been a teacher at the location for a little more than a year. Before working at The Learning Experience, Smith was in the restaurant industry for more than 32 years and left after deciding it was time for a change of pace.
Another staff member, Jen Miller, was a teacher at the Philadelphia School District and brings her deep experience with education.
“It’s a very welcoming experience,” Miller said, explaining that she still enjoys working with the children.
Miller’s co-teacher, Jen Lucas, likes to work the job because she can easily connect with her inner child. Whether that means playing with paint or helping students to imagine they are police officers, Lucas can always relate.
“It’s always fun, it’s almost like getting to be a kid again,” Miller added.
Miller’s education background sets the stage for her to be a successful teacher at the center, but the leadership at The Learning Experience ensures that even relative newcomers to childcare can receive the training they need to be impactful for the students. Teachers undergo training and even when they begin teaching, they are always paired up with another teacher, making sure there is someone to assist.
Tucked inside the classroom at The Learning Experience are a number of things to boost students’ education. An interactive electronic board allows children to work with computer programs and an inside playroom with props and a ball pit allows children to get lost in their imagination. Outside, the facility features a play area that lets children run around and participate in gross motor activities.
“We try to keep things really interactive for our teachers,” said Marie O’Brien, the director of the center.
The different aspects of the center allow for teachers and students to interact amongst themselves and together. According to O’Brien, many teachers become friends outside of the center as well.
“We try to celebrate our teachers as much as possible,” she added. Whether those celebrations means acknowledging a staff member’s birthday or just letting teachers know that they are valued, center leadership is involved in celebrating staff and teachers.
The celebration includes consulting with teachers to give them a workable schedule. Katelynn Bertram, a teacher at the center, also attends Bucks County Community College. The flexibility of the center allows her to take morning classes while working at the center in the afternoons and evenings.
“They are very flexible with the schedule and help me out,” she said.
Staff working at The Learning Experience have a lot of opportunities, O’Brien explained. The center offers lots of training and advancement opportunities. Staff working at the center can work towards a CDA, or Child Development Associate, while receiving tuition assistance through work.
The Learning Experience is currently hiring. Interested applicants can get in touch online or by calling the center at 215-943-1010. Applicants can also just stop in to meet with center administrators.
The top-notch learning facility is also accepting new students.
