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A Purpose-Filled Career: Fulfilling a Legacy, Changing the Future

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS) was founded with a bold, generous vision to create a lasting impact for children and families who need it most. Inspired by the legacy of Milton and Catherine Hershey and operating as a subsidiary of Milton Hershey School (MHS), CHS was established to expand the reach of their mission and help children ages six weeks to 5 years old from under-resourced and overburdened backgrounds reach their fullest potential through high-quality Early Childhood Education (ECE) and care. Not only that, but the program also supports the whole child through on-site supports and engages families through a family success approach. All of it is provided at no cost to qualifying families. 

Since the program’s inception in 2020, it has been historically growing. With centers open in Hershey (2023) and Harrisburg (2024) and new locations opening soon in Middletown (2025) and Lancaster County (beginning in 2026)—including New Danville, Lancaster City, and Elizabethtown—CHS is making history by continuing a legacy of service and excellence, serving one Pennsylvania child at a time. 

A New, Innovative Approach 

CHS is taking a unique approach to ECE, leveraging the best practices of MHS and other nationally recognized ECE programs while implementing new, innovative strategies that support child, family, and staff success. 

  • Professional Development: Before each Center opens, CHS teachers and staff begin their full-time employment with a paid professional development program. The program offers a one-of-a-kind onboarding and professional development approach designed for both new and experienced professionals, enabling staff to fully integrate into the CHS mission and approach through individual and group learning, practicum experiences, and more. 
  • Personalized Care: Studies show that children are more successful when they have consistent caregivers. At CHS, through a Continuity of Care model, children remain with the same educators for extended periods to establish deep connections and relationships supporting child development. Additionally, CHS maintains small ratios with three teachers in every classroom. 
  • Project-Based Approach: CHS teachers use a project-based approach where children serve as the leaders of the educational topic choice, and teachers serve as guides, enabling children to learn through real-life experiences in an immersive, hands-on process. 
  • Family Success Approach: CHS provides an opportunity for families not only to relieve the financial stress of child care but also to partner with a Family Success Team, including their dedicated Family Success Advocate, to advance other important areas of their lives with the goal of building safe, strong, financially stable homes for CHS children. 
  • Whole Child Supports: CHS is dedicated to helping children develop healthy minds and bodies, meeting the needs of the whole child. The program provides basic resources like diapers, wipes, sunscreen, a toothbrush, and toothpaste, meals, and, for some, transportation. It also provides children with critical health services directly on-site, including developmental screenings and audiology, vision, and dental screenings, as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, nutrition/dietetics support, and both in- and out-of-classroom support in navigating developmental or behavioral challenges. 

An Unexpected Career Opportunity 

To support both the CHS operational model and the organization’s growth, it employs over 225 employees and counting, offering both traditional ECE jobs as well as roles that support from outside the classroom: 

  • Teaching & Education: Teaching positions for both experienced and new professionals as Lead Teachers, Associate Teachers, and Assistant Teachers. 
  • Coaches and Leaders: Experienced child development or early childhood, elementary, or special education professionals and leaders who support the Scholastic teams. 
  • Family Success: Individuals who support families as they navigate the admissions process and, once enrolled, parenthood and building strong homes through direct engagement, including home visiting. 
  • Health Services: Professionals with experience providing specialized support to ensure every child is comfortable and safe. 
  • Human Resources & Central Office: Managerial and leadership positions that guide and grow the organization, including Information Technology, Marketing, Facilities and Maintenance, Human Resources, and more. 

With key roles available in Hershey, Harrisburg, and upcoming centers in Middletown and Lancaster County, plus opportunities at its Central Office, the organization is seeking mission-driven individuals who desire a career that provides: 

  • A powerful sense of purpose: You’ll be part of something bigger and historic—supporting children and families and helping to write their success stories. 
  • State-of-the-art facilities: CHS Centers are thoughtfully designed learning environments that inspire both children, families, and staff with unique spaces, including on-site Family Success Centers, Innovation Studios, STEM Gardens, and more. Take a look inside. 
  • Career and personal growth: CHS offers tuition reimbursement, CDA credentialing opportunities, and access to rich professional development like the program’s annual CHS Early Childhood Education Leaders Summit held at the Hershey Lodge. The program also has strong partnerships with local colleges and universities, which support personal and professional growth. 
  • A community that supports you: From your first day forward, you’ll be backed by a collaborative team and a mission-driven culture where everyone’s contribution is valued and upheld through values inspired by the program’s namesake, Catherine Hershey. 

At CHS, individuals from various backgrounds have found purpose and connection in work that supports children and families.  

Make an Extraordinary Impact 

A CHS career is meaningful, provides significant potential, and is a chance to be part of something extraordinary with history in the making. Explore open roles and take the next step at chslearn.org/careers. 

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.

© 2025 Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning