U-GRO Opens New Expanded Childcare Facilities in Hershey

U-GRO Learning Centres has completed the first phase of expansion of its advanced child care center in Hershey with the construction of a state-of-the-art facility adjacent to its original building at 1223 Research Boulevard.

Eight additional preschool classrooms on the first floor of the new building opened this week, on Monday, June 4. The next phase of the construction includes completion of a second-floor training center for teachers and space for U-GRO’s support-staff operations. U-GRO also begins construction next month to transition its original building to a facility exclusively for infants and toddlers.

The U-GRO expansion represents a $­­­6 million investment and is expected to add 25-plus jobs to the community. The final phases of construction are expected to be complete in late July, at which time U-GRO’s operations staff will move to the new building from its location at Tecport Drive in Harrisburg.

“This major expansion project reflects U-GRO’s commitment to the families and community that rely on our preschool programs,” said Greg Holsinger, president and CEO. “In addition to providing a quality pre-K education to more children in the Hershey area, the relocation of our staff support center and dedicated training facilities for U-GRO teachers will help us continue to help the children of central Pennsylvania reach their full potential.”

U-GRO serves more than 1,500 children daily at centers in Lancaster, Lebanon, Lititz, York, Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg and Hershey. U-GRO’s support center provides management and related services for the company’s network of 12 child care centers in central Pennsylvania.

“U-GRO has a preschool model that works, with kindergarten-readiness scores consistently above 95 percent,” Holsinger added. “A strong start at U-GRO means children have a better chance of succeeding in kindergarten, and school in general, and empowers families to give their children the best possible foundation for the future.”

U-GRO has a strong track record of preparing children for success. Some 96.8 percent of U-GRO children meet or exceed Pennsylvania standards for kindergarten readiness, as measured by the PA Learning Standards for Early Childhood.

Enrollment for the new preschool classrooms is open. Schedule a tour of U-GRO Hershey.