Pre K-8 Programs

A Strong Foundation

Our children and youth development programs fortify our agency goals to improve educational and developmental outcomes in distressed communities, ensure that children have access to a continuum of cradle-through-college-to-career solutions, and enhance school, home and neighborhood conditions so they are more nurturing and supportive.

Early Childhood Education
(age 12 months - 5yr)

GPCA operates 3 early learning centers in the South Philadelphia/Center City area. Our centers provide a highly effective network of early childhood education centers that use high impact, evidence-based, transformative approaches to provide young children with the building blocks to succeed in the educational system and the 21st century workforce.

These tools are both cognitive and soft skills which include:
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FREE and Low Cost Pre-K enrolling now for Fall 2025.

For more information on about our Early Childhood Education Centers, please visit: gpcacares.org

Out of School Time  
(after school + Before Care programs)

Our Out of School Time (OST) is designed to meet the needs of working families of youth in grades K-12.  All program sites are staffed with highly qualified and trained program staff and are licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Division of Child Development.  Programing is designed to complement rather than duplicate the school day by giving youth the opportunity to explore and build on individual interests and skills. Students can relax and unwind, join a special interest club, play sports and games, and socialize with peers and adults.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING

Our OST After School Programming goals are as follows:
• To assist youth in meeting state standards for core academic subjects by providing students with academic enrichment opportunities after school and during summer recess.
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• To offer youth participants a broad array of other services and programs, such as art, music, recreation activities, character education, career and technical training, drug and violence prevention programming, and technology education.
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• To provide educational services for families of participating students, such as literacy instruction, computer training and/or cultural enrichment.
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• To mobilize school, community, and private sector social and health services support and resources in order to remove barriers that impede students’ learning.

We pick up children from the following schools (K-8)

BEFORE CARE PROGRAMMING
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Our OST Before Care Programming is a free program designed to bridge the gap between the time parents need to leave for work and the time school begins, offering a structured and safe environment for youth and children in grades kindergarten through the eighth grades.

Key Features and Benefits of the Before Care Program:
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• Safe and supervised environment: Our before care programs offer a secure space where breakfast is provided for program youth while their parents are at work.
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• Structured activities: Our program provides a range of activities, including games, creative arts, and even homework assistance, to engage the youth before the school day begins.
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• Convenience for parents and working families: Our before care program help working parents by providing a reliable solution for childcare before school hours.
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• Social and emotional development: Program staff provide enrichment and learning activities that support and promote social and emotional skills development.

Before Care Program Locations:

To register: Families can pick up paper applications at the school or program sites. The link to the online applications are provided via flyers, class dojo, and in the school district program locator.

Once we receive the applications, a designated staff member will contact the parent/guardian to discuss next steps. Families are typically contacted within one week of application submission. If we have all of the required enrollment information and documents, a confirmation letter will be emailed to the families to confirm enrollment.

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Our OST programs do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, and ethnic background. Youth of all backgrounds and abilities are encouraged to enroll. Enrollment is open to youth with special needs and/or disabilities where reasonable accommodation program modifications are required. The youth must be self-sufficient and able to function in a group setting. Parents should notify program supervisors of any known medical conditions prior to enrollment.

Summer Camp

GPCA Summer Camp Programs provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks, in addition to academic and extracurricular activities to support the retention of students’ in-school knowledge while emphasizing team building among their peers. Our students attend weekly trips that are educational, and full of adventure. Swimming, sports, dance, karate, golf, arts and crafts are also an integral part of the curriculum and daily activities.

Summer camp is available for kids from pre-k to 8th grade

Community Support

At GPCA, we believe in empowering youth through comprehensive community support programs tailored for children aged 10 and up. Our initiatives provide essential resources and guidance to foster a safe and nurturing environment.‍
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Available for children 10+:

• Intensive Prevention Services (IPS): Targeted programs designed to prevent crises and promote healthy development through proactive interventions.
• Community Evening Resource Center (CERC): A welcoming space offering after-school activities and support for youth to engage, learn, and connect.
• Truancy Intervention and Prevention (TIPS): Dedicated outreach efforts to support at-risk youth, ensuring they remain engaged in their education and connected to their communities.

Together, these programs aim to uplift children, fostering resilience and a pathway to success. For more information, click the button below.