DANVILLE -- The Danville Child Development Center (DCDC) -- whose mission is to provide quality education and care to area children and families -- is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2014. DCDC was established in 1974 with just six children in the basement of the Shiloh United Church of Christ in Danville. It has grown to serve more than 600 children per year in all of its programs at two locations in Danville: 398 Wall St. and 2719 Bloom Road. DCDC provides high-quality early learning experiences through programs such as the Early Years Learning Academy, School Aged Care for Kids (SACK), Child Care Information Services (CCIS), Early Intervention Services and Montour County Advocates for Children. "We do more than child care," said executive director Diana Dixon. Program particulars Here is a summary of DCDC programs: * Early Years Learning Academy and Preschool The center's largest program, Early Years Learning Academy provides quality learning experiences for children from infants at age 6 weeks through 5-year-old preschoolers. The program features an age-appropriate curriculum designed to grow with the child through the infant, toddler and preschool years. The curriculum follows the Pennsylvania Department of Education's early learning standards for hands-on programs in math, science, social studies and literacy. DCDC's preschool programming for ages 3 to 5 is licensed by the Department of Education at both its Wall Street and Bloom Road locations and utilizes Houghton-Mifflin's Alphafriends for early literacy development. All of DCDC's Preschool teachers have bachelor's degrees in Early Childhood or Elementary Education. Enrichment activities include monthly field trips and frequent guest speakers and readers. There are a variety of enrollment options available, and lunch is included in the tuition rates at both locations. To support lower income families, DCDC receives Department of Community and Economic Development Educational Improvement Tax Credit sponsorships with approximately $40,000 available annually for pre-kindergarten scholarships. DCDC's Wall Street location is the only early childhood center in Montour and Northumberland counties accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). It is also the only four-star-rated Keystone STARS center in Montour County. The Bloom Road site has earned three stars in the Keystone STARS system and is working toward its fourth star. * SACK SACK is designed for children in grades K-6. It offers safety, supervision, homework help, interesting games, educational activities and computer time. Care is provided before and after school and during delays and cancellations, as well as vacation days and summer break. The teachers and children plan activities, events and field trips that complement skills that students are developing in the classroom, as well as group games, crafts and special projects. It is rated three-stars by the Keystone STARS system. * CCIS CCIS of Columbia, Montour and Northumberland counties is available to assist parents in making the most appropriate child care arrangements through referral information and parent counseling. CCIS serves as a hub of information for family services. Families apply for subsidies at their local CCIS, but then may use child care with any eligible provider. CCIS helps former Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and low-income families pay for the cost of care. CCIS is required to serve the maximum number of children within the limits of available funding and ensure the rates paid for subsidized care meet the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare's (DPW) requirements. It encourages and supports the use of affordable, quality child care throughout the state. For 2013-14, DCDC was awarded a $2.9 million contract to administer this program in the three counties. Previously, it served Montour County only. Acceptance of the state grant has resulted in an additional office in Sunbury and an increase in staffing. * Early Intervention Services DCDC is a provider of home-based early intervention services in Columbia, Montour and, as of 2013, Northumberland counties. The program is for children from birth to age 3. It is a collection of supports and services designed to help families identify routines and activities that help children's development in all learning areas (cognitive, motor, social, self-help and communication). DCDC offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and special instruction. These services can be provided in the comfort and security of the child's home or child care setting, while making the family an integral part of the child's therapies. Early Intervention is a free program available to all children and their families in Pennsylvania. For more information, call Jen Hipps at 570-275-4047. * Advocates for Children (LEARN) DCDC coordinates Montour County Advocates for Children, which works throughout the county to inform, educate and motivate families, businesses and community leaders in the importance of high-quality early learning experiences for all young children. Second campus The Bloom Road campus opened a few years ago at the former Danville Auto Auction site. The idea for a new location stemmed from a genuine need to expand and was inspired by a commitment to better serve children attending the SACK program that had been held at Danville Elementary. Since the campus opened in 2011, SACK has experienced a 23 percent increase in enrollment, and the Summer School Age program has gone up 60 percent. Other programs for families, children and teachers offered there include "My Toddler and Me" classes to provide parents of toddlers the tools to be their child's first and best teacher; parenting workshops for moms and dads; reading events open to the community; group activities for children with special needs and their families to socialize and find mutual support; and education and professional development programs for the general public and those who work in the early childhood field. In 2013, more than 10 professional development sessions reaching more than 75 early childhood educators were held there. In the summer of 2013, the Bloom Road campus began a community garden, providing plots to local families and others interested in tending their own garden. Fundraisers The annual Celebrity Waiter Event is DCDC's largest fundraiser. Prominent community members serve and entertain guests and donate their "tips." In addition to tip money, funds are raised through ticket sales and sponsorships. Over the years, this event has raised more than $50,000. Now in its eighth year, this much-anticipated night of fun for a good cause will be Saturday, April 12. It starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Danville Borough Ballroom on Mill Street. The theme this year is "Luau." In conjunction with its 40th anniversary, DCDC will also be participating in Raise the Region 2014, the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania's 30-hour regional fundraising event scheduled for March 12 and 13. For more information, call 1-866-901-2372 or visit www.raisetheregion.org. Looking to future DCDC emphasizes continuous improvement to its programs, facilities and personnel. Throughout this process, it partners with families, other early learning programs and the community to provide children with consistent, supportive and enriching environments. While proud of its history and excellent reputation, its leaders are always looking forward to bigger and better things. DCDC's Main Campus on Wall Street is open Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. The Bloom Road Campus is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information or to contribute, call 570-275-4047, visit www.danvillecdc. org, or like DCDC on Facebook.