Over 60 years of nurturing Harrisburg's children.
Since its beginning, Hansel & Gretel has been a family-owned and highly respected care center, blending nurturing child care with the most respected teaching practices available.
Built on the ideas that created kindergarten.
In 1960, Hansel & Gretel was founded by Mrs. Meta Grill, Executive Director. Mrs. Grill studied the Froebel approach to childhood education, the approach that formed the first “kindergarten” and was widely adopted throughout Europe and the United States.
Mrs. Grill became a leading and respected authority in child care and education as she led the “Meta Grill Day Care Center” through rapid expansion and growth.
Continuing a commitment to the most highly respected and progressive teaching methods, Hansel & Gretel incorporated the Montessori Method, which promotes independence and respects the development of each child as a unique individual.
A dream begins
Mrs. Meta Grill opens her center, grounded in the Froebel approach to early education.
Walnut Street opens
Our 2206 Walnut Street location opens, offering nursery school through fifth grade, and the school becomes “Hansel & Gretel School.”
Laura Grill joins
Laura Grill is hired as an elementary teacher and later becomes Center Director.
Londonderry Road is built
A new facility for infant through pre-school care, now serving ages 6 weeks to six years with Montessori pre-school and kindergarten.
Generations of families
Still family-owned, still family-run, and now caring for the children of children we once cared for.
Nurturing care meets Montessori learning.
The whole child
We support cognitive, social-emotional, physical and creative growth together, never one at the expense of another.
Observe & adapt
Our curriculum stays dynamic because we observe each child continually and meet their specific needs.
Partnership with parents
Daily communication, progress reports and an open door. You're part of our family of care.
Come see us in person.
The best way to know if Hansel & Gretel is right for your family is to visit. Meet our teachers, see the classrooms and ask us anything.