YORK COUNTY, Pa. — It’s another day of fun at WeeConnect in York County.
The daycare in Spring Garden Township is the first of its kind in the central Pennsylvania region, built specifically for kids with more complex developmental and behavioral needs.
It's open to children from 18 months to five years of age.
“A lot of time it’s sensory differences," said Liz Jones, executive director of WeeConnect. "Children that are over-responding to noises or overstimulation in that childcare setting. Children that have delayed language skills, so maybe they can’t express their wants or needs or the way they’re feeling.”
Jones started WeeConnect with her team to give these children an opportunity they may struggle to get in a traditional daycare setting.
“We have children that come here and say they were bad at their other school or their teachers at their other school didn’t like them," said Jones. "And through being here, we do really see improvement in their confidence.”
Staff come from various backgrounds, from occupational therapy to early childhood education and childcare. They're skills that together give kids a place to flourish.
“I’ve come from places that can’t handle the type of kids we have here," said Tiara Ritter, director at WeeConnect. "It takes a special kind of person to do that.”
Right now, WeeConnect is fully enrolled, and interested families can join a waiting list.
WeeConnect is in the process of expanding its South Queen Street building.
The organization will be participating in Give Local York to try to raise the rest of the money needed.
“We’ve raised $250,000 for our construction and we’re looking to add to that campaign, so we can furnish our classrooms and get the supplies we need," said Jones.
“Parents appreciate it," added Ritter. "That makes it easier when parents see and appreciate what we do, it makes it more meaningful to come to work every day.”
Last year Give Local York raised more than $4 million for 330 nonprofits. This year’s event starts May 2.
Download the FOX43 app here.