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- Overview
- Programs
- Our Team
- Accreditation
- Reviews
- Schedule Options
The History of Bala Cynwyd School for Young Children
Bala Cynwyd lies in the Welsh Tract of Pennsylvania and was settled in the 1680s by Welsh Quakers, who purchased the land from William Penn shortly after he landed in Pennsylvania. Our area was originally founded as two separate villages, named for the towns of Bala and Cynwyd in Wales.
In 1884, the Schuylkill Valley Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company was established and 3 train stations were built in our neighborhood. The construction of better roads and the rail service made residential development of the area possible and our stately brick buildings were initially constructed as residential homes in 1895. We were part of a wave of expansion that ran from 1880-1920 and among the first 500 buildings built in Bala Cynwyd.
Bala Cynwyd School for Young Children was founded in 1991. Our campus rests on 1.43 acres and we have 3 classroom buildings, 3 playgrounds, a rain day gym, a fully furnished kitchen, and an in-ground swimming pool that was designed specifically for young children. Our school loves being part of the Bala Cynwyd community.
Programs Offered:
- Infant Childcare (ages 12 weeks – 12 months)
- Junior Toddler (ages 1 – 2)
- Two-Year-Olds (ages 24 – 36 months)
- Preschool / Pre-K (ages 3 – 4)
- Kindergarten (ages 4 – 6)
- Summer Program
- Special Programs – be sure to ask about our Special Programs!
Classroom Staff
We have worked diligently to assemble a team of nurturing professionals. Our teachers and directors are certified early childhood educators who undergo extensive training prior to assuming their roles and our assistant teachers and aides are either studying for their credentials or have substantial experience with young children.
Every class at Bala Cynwyd School for Young Children has two full-time teachers. We also have two floating teachers that substitute or assist in all of the classrooms as needed.
Our faculty, curriculum, daily programs, and teacher/child ratios all meet or exceed the standards required for:
- Licensing as a Private Academic School for Nursery and Kindergarten Education by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
- Licensing by the Department of Human Services as a Child Care Center
- Accreditation by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)
Safety
All buildings are fully air-conditioned and have commercial sprinkler systems throughout. The fire and emergency alarm systems go directly to a central alarm station and the Township fire and police stations. All buildings are locked from the outside with a computer controlled, electronic lock system. Enrolled families are given access chips for their child’s building.
Parent Involvement
Children show the greatest gains when a strong partnership exists between their parents and their school. We want to work with you through these early years to facilitate every aspect of your child’s emotional, social, intellectual, and physical development.
We have an open-door policy at Bala Cynwyd School for Young Children. You are welcome to visit at any time and we encourage you to participate in any and all of the activities. You can take part in existing activities like field trips, events, and parties or you can coordinate with the staff and do something on your own like read the class a story, teach a dance, or talk about your career, hobby, or passion.
Our Location
Bala Cynwyd School for Young Children is conveniently located at 11 Saint Asaphs Rd, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. You can reach us by calling (610) 668-2233. We offer programs for infants, toddlers, preschool, and kindergarten. Our school is at the nexus of City Line Ave and Route 23 and we’re close to both the I-75 and Route 30.
Programs Offered
Our Team
Laura Fairtrace
School Director
I have had the privilege of working with the wonderful group of families, children, and staff at the Bala Cynwyd School for Young children since 2005. I began with the school as a lead teacher where I had the pleasure of assisting preschool children in their growth and development for close to ten years prior to taking on an educational leadership role as an assistant director in 2015, and a director role in 2021. Prior to my time with the Bala Cynwyd School, I attended the Pennsylvania State University where I received a degree in Human Development and Family studies. I was fascinated with the science behind child development and how environments and relationships can play an important part in children’s success. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends as well as seeing live music, art, reading, travel, cooking, & (just a little) gardening. As Director of the school my goal is to truly uphold our company’s promise to give our families peace of mind by providing our children with an exceptional education in a place as nurturing as home.
Samantha Antoniak
Assistant Director
Samantha Antoniak serves as Assistant Director and brings a deep passion for early childhood education to her work with children, families, and teachers. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from Drexel University, where she developed a strong foundation in child development and developmentally appropriate practice. Samantha began her career in 2012 as a Pre-K teacher in New Jersey, building valuable classroom experience and a strong understanding of how young children learn and grow.
She later joined the Bala Cynwyd School for Young Children as a Senior Toddler Teacher and was promoted to Assistant Director in 2017 after demonstrating strong leadership and dedication to early learning. Samantha is especially inspired by the incredible growth that takes place during the early years and loves watching children gain confidence, develop new skills, and reach important milestones. She believes high-quality early childhood education lays the foundation for lifelong learning and success, and she is committed to creating nurturing, engaging environments where children feel safe, valued, and supported. Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys, making meaningful memories together as a family.
Ms. Kyongye
Teacher of the Year
I have been with the Bala Cynwyd School for Young Children since 1991 where I have taught Kindergarten since 1995. I was born in South Korea and moved to America when I was twenty years old. I attended Temple University where I received a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction and Technology Education. I am the principal of the Emmanuel Korean School of Philadelphia which is an educational institution dedicated to teaching Korean language and heritage to the students in the Philadelphia area. I am married and the mother of both a son and a daughter. In my free time I enjoy doing arts and crafts.
Yelena Grigoryan
Lead Teacher
Yelena Grigoryan is the Lead Teacher in the Junior Toddler II classroom and is celebrates over 30 years of dedication to early childhood education! She attended Azerbaijan University, where she earned a master’s degree in Geography Education. Yelena began her career in early childhood education in 1996 and has continued to grow professionally by learning from her peers and through her many classroom experiences over the years.
Yelena loves watching children’s personalities develop throughout the school year and especially enjoys helping young learners build kindness and respect for one another. She believes early education plays an important role in a child’s development and that teachers serve as some of the first role models in a child’s life. For that reason, she is committed to creating a loving, nurturing, and stable environment where children feel supported as they learn and grow. Outside of the classroom, Yelena enjoys reading, shopping, cooking, and traveling with her family.
Accreditations
NAEYC Accreditation
Every child deserves access to high-quality early learning experiences. NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) has set 10 standards for early childhood programs that can help families make the right choice when they are looking for a child care center, preschool, or kindergarten. The standards and criteria are also the foundation of the NAEYC Accreditation system for early childhood programs. To earn NAEYC Accreditation, schools must go through an extensive self-study and quality-improvement process, followed by an on-site visit by NAEYC Assessors to verify and ensure that the program meets each of the ten program standards, and hundreds of corresponding individual criteria. NAEYC-accredited programs are always prepared for unannounced quality-assurance visits during their accreditation term, which lasts for five years. In the 30 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. More than 7,000 programs are currently accredited by NAEYC—less than 10 percent of all child care centers, preschools, and kindergartens nationally achieve this recognition.
Reviews from Parents
Suzanne Kamps • Google
Elizabeth Eachus • Google
Lara Hamm • Google
Rani Nandiwada • Google
Bala Cynwyd School for Young Children
Bala Cynwyd, PA
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Childcare Schedule Options That Work With Your Life
Every family’s routine is unique — and your childcare should be too. With Cadence Education, our Family of Schools may offer various schedule options designed to fit your life.
Each of our school’s are unique, and may not offer all of the options listed below. Talk with your School Director to learn what options are available for your family.
FlexiPass — New Flexible Care Option!
When schedules change, or the grandparents cancel, or life just gets busy, FlexiPass gives you five prepaid days of care that you can use whenever* you need them, one at a time or all at once. No registration fees. No ongoing tuition. Just dependable care when you need it most.
