Enrollment

We are here to assist qualifying families through the enrollment journey. Below you will find enrollment information for CHS Hershey, CHS Harrisburg, and CHS Middletown, as well as a form to sign up for enrollment news.

Children and Families Succeeding Together

Are you struggling to afford childcare? Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning provides weekday education and care while connecting your family with the resources needed to succeed—with all costs covered. We will be opening six locations across Central PA between now and 2026. Learn about enrollment below.

Ages Served

Infants

6 weeks to 12 months old

Younger Toddler

1 to 2 years old

Older Toddler

2 to 3 years old

Preschool

3 to 5 years old

Minimum Enrollment Qualifications

A child must meet the following admissions criteria:

Come from an income-eligible family
- If you are struggling to afford childcare, your child may be eligible. Each family’s situation is different. Our Family Success Team will partner with you to determine if CHS is the right fit for your family.
Be six weeks to 4 years old at the time of enrollment
- This is the age of your child on their first day at CHS. This age requirement is to ensure your child and family have ample time to benefit from the programming and resources included within the CHS Program.
Have the ability to participate in and benefit from the CHS Program

CHS will receive many more applications than it can accept. This is due to limited space in our centers and our desire to maintain small class sizes with low teacher-to-child ratios. As a result, meeting the Minimum Enrollment Qualifications does not guarantee a child’s enrollment.

Our Enrollment Process

Our non-residential program operates Monday through Friday, providing year-round programming that ensures children have the knowledge, skills, and values needed to grow into their best selves. Learn about our process.

Application

Step 1: Submit the online application.

Step 2: Our enrollment team will contact you to gather additional information.

Step 3: Once you supply all the necessary documents, you may become eligible to move to the next step.

On-Site Visit

Step 4: We will contact you with an interview date to get to know each other.

Step 5: Upon completing a successful in-person interview, the child may be conditionally accepted to CHS.

New Family Orientation Home Visit

Step 6: The acceptance to CHS is pending the completion of a New Family Orientation Home Visit.

Step 7: Our team will start to prepare you for the child’s first day at CHS!

Enrollment Timetable

CHS Hershey

Catherine Hershey Schools Hershey Location — **Opening in 2023.** Enrollment is currently full, however we invite you to sign up below to be notified of future openings.

CHS Harrisburg

Catherine Hershey Schools Harrisburg Location — **Opening in 2024.** Enrollment will begin in early 2024, with the center opening late 2024. Sign up below for enrollment updates.

CHS Middletown

Catherine Hershey Schools Groundbreaking — **Opening in 2025.** Enrollment will begin in early 2025. Sign up below to be notified of enrollment updates for this center.

CHS Lancaster City, CHS New Danville, and CHS Elizabethtown are scheduled to begin opening in 2026.

Request Enrollment Updates

Complete this form to receive enrollment updates for Hershey (currently full), Harrisburg (2024) or Middletown (2025). We look forward to providing information about our Lancaster County locations as plans progress.

Sign Up for Enrollment News

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Please select one. If you are interested in more than one location, please visit the Contact Us page to send a message to the enrollment team.

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Milton Hershey School Admissions

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning is a subsidiary of Milton Hershey School and is operated independently of the MHS core model. MHS is among the best private schools in the nation, serving children in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade from financially qualified families. Children enrolled at CHS will not be automatically admitted to MHS upon turning 5, but they are invited to apply for admission to MHS.
Learn More about MHS

For Interested Families

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

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For Interested Professionals

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

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Hear From Our Leaders

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

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