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Our story

We are focused on early childhood learning. We provide weekday care and education for children from six weeks to age 5 from qualifying families—with all costs covered. Learn about Catherine Hershey, our values, and the legacy that has made this all possible.

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Mission & vision

Our mission

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning creates high-quality learning communities that nurture, educate, and empower children and families in social and financial need to lead fulfilling and productive lives.

Our vision

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning transforms the lives of children by providing them with the foundation for lifelong success. CHS embraces and supports families, strengthens the broader community, and serves as a leader in early childhood education to improve outcomes for children everywhere.

Catherine

About Catherine

Catherine Hershey was known for her kind and nurturing spirit.

She believed that every child deserved a chance to thrive. She dedicated her life to this through philanthropy and generosity—most notably in her influence to found Milton Hershey School with her husband, chocolatier Milton S. Hershey. Their dream has shaped the lives of thousands of children and their legacy continues to this day.

Catherine Hershey’s compassion and kindness now inspires support for the youngest children in our communities. Her dream of providing care and education to those who need it lives on each day at Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning.

K.I.T.T.Y. Values

Our values inspired by Kitty

Catherine Hershey was known as “Kitty” to her friends and family. We use this term of endearment as an acronym for the values that embody Catherine’s spirit. At CHS, we encourage and reward teachers and staff for exemplifying these values in their work, including through our K.I.T.T.Y. Recognition Program. As a result, we model these values every day for children and families at our centers.

  • Kind: We communicate with courtesy and empathy.
  • Impactful: We strive to make an impact in our community.
  • Trustworthy: We make good decisions.
  • Teachable: We see learning as never ending.
  • Your Best Self: We give our best each day.

Honoring Catherine’s legacy

To honor and serve as a reminder of Catherine’s legacy, passions, and beliefs, engaging elements are incorporated into the CHS program and centers to engage children, families, staff, and visitors.

Family

For interested families

Want to learn more about us? Discover the CHS Experience.

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Staff

For interested professionals

Want to know more about current opportunities at CHS? Explore our open positions.

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Our Leaders

Hear from our leaders

Hear about the vision for CHS from those leading the way in early childhood education.

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Catherine Hershey Schools

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning are subsidiaries of Milton Hershey School and will be staffed and operated independently of the Milton Hershey School core model.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

© 2024 Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning