Nestled in the heart of Croydon at 1305 State Road, the Little JEMS Children’s Center has been a beacon for young learners for decades. But for owner Renee Kimble, the early learning center holds a special place in her heart – she once roamed its halls as a child.
The center, which has been in its current format for over 20 years, was taken over by Kimble in 2021. Her role as owner and operator followed a career as an Assistant Director/Director at early learning centers in New Jersey.
“I grew up around here, and it was always a dream to open up my own center. Being able to provide care for the community I was raised in is an added bonus.” Kimble said.
Since assuming ownership, Kimble, a local resident, has infused new life into the child care center.
Among her first orders of business were increasing the safety protocols, installing fresh carpets, and giving the walls a much-needed coat of paint. But her vision extends even further: an overhaul of the outdoor play areas is on the horizon.
Catering to children ranging from infants to 13 year olds, Little JEMS Children’s Center offers a spectrum of programs, including Child Care, Pre-K Counts, and Before & After school care.
Little JEMS Children’s Center not only offers learning opportunities and activities for kids, but meals are available to students at no additional cost through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
As part of the before and after care program, the center has a bus stop for Keystone Elementary School located on campus. Little JEMS Children’s Center offers transportation for afternoon pick up from Snyder-Girotti Elementary School in Bristol Borough and Valley Elementary School in Bensalem Township.
Little JEMS Children’s Center dedication to quality has not gone unnoticed. The center proudly boasts a four-star rating from the Keystone Stars program and even exceeds the state’s health and safety licensing standards.
“A four out of four is the highest you can get, and we’re proud of that and our qualified staff,” Kimble said.
“The benefit here is the qualified teaching staff, incorporating creative curriculum in lesson planning, and the wide variety of hands-on activities,” she said. “The kids here are socializing with each other and learning a lot off each other, including the different cultures and ethnicities that we all represent.”
Kimble attributes the center’s continued success to several factors, including the flexibility of the center’s programs and the ensure that each child gets the personalized attention they deserve.
“We pride ourselves on the extensive experience and training of our staff,” she said.
For Kimble, the job isn’t just work – it’s a calling for her and her staff.
“I always say I don’t breathe until its 5:30 p.m. when the day is done and the doors are locked,” she said with a laugh.
Kimble explained that the staff knows the kids individually and their families. She even knows many of the families from around town.
“It’s the joy of providing care for children of those that I grew up with,” she said.
Kimble’s own daughter even attends Little JEMS Children’s Center and could possibly continue the history of attending the center and then running the business someday.
Little JEMS Children’s Center will be hosting a Back To School event on Friday, September 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the center at 1305 State Road in Croydon. Parents of prospective students are invited to attend.
The center presently has openings for students of all ages, and those interested can visit the Little JEMS Children’s Center website, call 215-788-6416, or email RJK@littlejemscc.com.