Our Story
K-Prep started as a Family Childcare Center in 2003, but the vision came long before that. The owner, Ann Kritzer, had a love for children at an early age and always knew she wanted to be a teacher. She attended Millersville University while working at a local early education center. It is during this time working in childcare that her focus shifted to early childhood. As a sophomore in college, Ann dreamed of someday opening a childcare center where children were the true focus and everyone felt like family.
During this time, she met Claire Crescenzi, another education student at
Millersville with a similar passion. Together they both continued working in
Early Childhood while receiving their bachelor’s degrees at Millersville University.
And in August 2003 K-Prep Learning Center was officially born.
They quickly outgrew the family childcare space and re-opened as a childcare center with 19 students in a small portion of the existing facility on Columbia Avenue in July 2006. In 2009, they expanded their footprint into more of the building, offering 3 classrooms for more age specific care. They added classrooms again in 2015, and again in 2019 giving them the 5 classrooms K-Prep offers today.
As a privately owned center, K-Prep strives to blend the benefits of its early roots as a small family center with the opportunities of a larger center. Individual needs are met within the classroom setting and students at all ages are given multiple learning options to help them succeed. The mission of K-Prep, that all children are loved, is shared with all who join the family. We believe that to be effective leaders in early childhood education, you must remain passionate about educating the young.
The staff at K-Prep include a variety of educators. Their passions and enthusiasm is obvious the moment you enter a classroom. Some teachers enjoy detailed art work and teaching about famous artists, some love theater and both classic and modern musicals are heard in their class. Teachers are found sharing their love of sports, reading, board games and cooking. Sharing what each teacher loves helps the students love coming to school!