Gravel Hill Christian Child Care
Gravel Hill Christian Child Care (GHCCC)
Gravel Hill Christian Child Care is a childcare facility located within Gravel Hill United Methodist Church at 131 Gravel Hill Road, Palmyra, PA. The center has been operating for over 23 years! GHCCC operates under the belief that every child has the right to a safe, nurturing, and loving environment. In December 2009, the facility was awarded a STAR 3 rating by the Keystone Starz Initiative. Starz is a Pennsylvania initiative to ensure quality child care. GHCCC has worked tirelessly to secure this rating every year since and is very excited and proud to continuously uphold this achievement.
The center is open for operation from 6:00 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you have questions or would like to obtain more information, please contact: Lori Cheatham, Director of Gravel Hill Christian Child Care 717.838.3620.
The center is open for operation from 6:00 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you have questions or would like to obtain more information, please contact: Lori Cheatham, Director of Gravel Hill Christian Child Care 717.838.3620.
Best Day Care Center of 2025
In July 2025, Grace Hill Christian Child Care Center (GHCCC) was recognized as the Best Day Care Center of 2025 in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, by BusinessRate—an honor based on customer reviews and overall satisfaction. This recognition reflects the trust families place in GHCCC and highlights the dedication of its staff to providing a safe, nurturing, and high-quality environment for children to learn and grow. Being selected for this award underscores GHCCC’s commitment to excellence in early childhood care and affirms its positive impact on the families and community it serves.
Our Approach to Care & Learning
At GHCCC, your child will grow spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially through meaningful interactions with other children and caring, dedicated caregivers. Our team incorporates the Christian principles and beliefs of the United Methodist Church through monthly chapel lessons, songs, activities, and prayer.
Curriculum & Classroom Experience
We use the Creative Curriculum® as the educational foundation for our classrooms. This approach emphasizes learning through creativity, hands-on activities, and play, all within a fun, safe, and nurturing environment where children feel supported and encouraged to explore.
Each day, children participate in engaging lessons that support all areas of development, including social and emotional growth, cognitive development, science, social studies, math, language, and literacy. Daily stories and songs help foster a love of learning, while creative and dramatic play opportunities encourage imagination, self-expression, and the development of important social skills.
Each day, children participate in engaging lessons that support all areas of development, including social and emotional growth, cognitive development, science, social studies, math, language, and literacy. Daily stories and songs help foster a love of learning, while creative and dramatic play opportunities encourage imagination, self-expression, and the development of important social skills.
Daily Care & Activities
Each day, we welcome children from infancy through school age into a loving, caring environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive. Children who are age-appropriate enjoy:
• Daily gymnasium time and outdoor play
• Morning and afternoon snacks
• Lunch provided by GHCCC
• Daily gymnasium time and outdoor play
• Morning and afternoon snacks
• Lunch provided by GHCCC
Hours, Scheduling & Transportation
GHCCC is open Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We offer full-time and part-time enrollment, as well as before- and after-school care. For Kindergarten through School Age children, bus transportation is provided to and from PASD Elementary Schools.
Summer Camp Program
GHCCC also offers a Summer Camp Program for Kindergarten through School Age children. Summer camp features a variety of engaging indoor and outdoor activities, including:
- Splash days
- Wheels days
- Movie days
- Paint and cooking days
- Special guest visits
Meet our Child Care Director
Lori Cheatham
Meet our child care Director, Lori Cheatham! Lori has worked in child care since 1999. She earned her Bachelor's in Elementary and Special Education from Millersville University in 2006. Early on, she began working at a public school district, but soon realized her true passion was working in the early childhood field. Lori has worked for Gravel Hill Christian Child Care since 2007. She became the child care center director in 2020. She resides in Palmyra with her husband, two school-age daughters, and her dog, Amaya. In her free time, she enjoys camping, bowling, gardening, and baking. Lori will often be found working in various locations throughout the center, greeting families and children in the welcome center, or working in the child care office!
Meet our Child Care Assistant Director
Kim Briggs
Meet our Assistant Director, Kim! Briggs! Kim has been with Gravel Hill Christian Child Care since 2021 and has over 20 years of child care experience. Kim is a resident of Palmyra, where she resides with her husband. She has four children and two grand children who she greatly enjoys spending her free time with! Kim has experience working in many of our child care classrooms, but has spent much of her time working with our one year old’s. She is currently in the process of obtaining her AA degree in Early Childhood Education. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and working on crafts! Kim will often be found assisting in our one or two year old rooms or in the childcare office.