About Children’s Learning Ladder
At Children’s Learning Ladder, we have been helping young children learn, grow, and feel at home since 1983. As Murrysville’s original childcare center, we provide early childhood care and education for children ages 12 months through 6 years in a warm, nurturing environment built around small class sizes, personal attention, and meaningful parent communication. Our teachers also combine play-based learning with age-appropriate academics, cognitive development, and Kindergarten readiness so children can build confidence at their own pace. And for more than 40 years later, we have been guided by the same principle: that each and every child deserves to feel safe, known, supported, and excited to learn.
Serving Murrysville Families Since 1983
Children’s Learning Ladder has been part of the Murrysville community for more than four decades, and that history means a great deal to us. We have watched generations of children move from their earliest classroom experiences into Kindergarten, elementary school, and beyond, while families have trusted us with some of the most important years of their children’s development.
Over the years, family needs have changed considerably. Work schedules have become more demanding, households often have two working parents, and families need childcare that supports both their schedules and their expectations for early education. We have adapted our program, facility, curriculum, and hours while protecting the close-knit atmosphere that has always defined our center.
Read more →
Today, we are open from 7:00 AM to 5:45 PM to better accommodate modern family schedules. Even with those changes, we remain committed to small class sizes, consistent relationships, and the personal attention that allows children to feel secure and parents to feel connected.
More Than Childcare, We Focus on Early Learning
We know families are looking for more than a place where their children can spend the day. They want an environment where children are encouraged to think, explore, communicate, play, and develop the skills they will eventually carry into school.
Our teachers use play-based learning to make those experiences feel natural and engaging. Young children learn through movement, conversation, repetition, hands-on exploration, social interaction, and imaginative play, so we create opportunities that support those different forms of development throughout the day.
Read more →
We also incorporate structured learning in ways that are appropriate for each age group. The goal is not to rush children into academics before they are ready, but to help them build the early cognitive, language, social, and problem-solving skills that create a strong foundation for future learning.
Small Class Sizes Help Us Know Each Child
One of the most important parts of our approach is keeping class sizes small enough for teachers to provide meaningful individual attention. Children develop differently, and a smaller classroom makes it easier to notice those differences rather than treating every child as if they learn and respond in exactly the same way.
Our teachers get to know children’s personalities, routines, strengths, interests, and areas where they may need extra encouragement. That knowledge helps us support learning more thoughtfully and respond to children as individuals. It also creates stronger relationships. When children know their teachers understand them, they are often more comfortable asking questions, trying new things, and participating in the classroom.
Meet Ms. Landra, Our Center Director
Ms. Landra helps families feel comfortable from the very first conversation. Parents often appreciate her gentle manner, quick communication, and willingness to walk through every step of the enrollment process without making the experience feel rushed or overwhelming.
Ms. Landra holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language & Literature and a Master of Arts in Teaching. She brings deep educational expertise and dedicated experience to our community, having been with CLL for almost 9 years, including 5 years as Center Director.
In her role, she helps coordinate the day-to-day experience for families while supporting our teaching team. Her work goes far beyond administration—she understands that choosing childcare is a deeply personal decision and that parents often arrive with questions about routines, classroom structure, transitions, schedules, and what their child’s day will actually look like.
That is why our enrollment process starts with listening. Ms. Landra takes time to learn about every child and family before asking anyone to make a decision.
Ms. Ally
Assistant Director & Two’s Teacher
Ms. Ally is a graduate of Geneva College, a devoted wife, and a mother of two. She has been a core member of the Children’s Learning Ladder team for nearly seven years. Outside the classroom, she loves gardening, listening to music (ranging from Led Zeppelin to Laurie Berkner), and spending time with her cat, Kiwi.
Experience →
- Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders.
- Has served as Assistant Director at CLL for 5 years.
- Over 7 years of teaching experience across classrooms ranging from 18 months to 8 years old.
Ms. Kassie
Toddler Teacher
Ms. Kassie grew up in Penn-Trafford and graduated from Penn-Trafford High School in 2021. She lives with her sister, their dog Frank, and their cat Gary. She loves reading outdoors, golfing, learning about history, visiting local coffee shops, and taking trips to the ocean.
Experience →
- Joined Children’s Learning Ladder in early 2025, gaining experience in the 2’s room before transitioning to work with toddlers.
- Brings 5 years of prior childcare experience babysitting children ages 1 to 10.
Ms. Kathryn
Lead Pre-K Teacher
Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Ms. Kathryn has lived in the Murrysville area for over 12 years. She is married with two sons—one of whom currently attends Children’s Learning Ladder. In her free time, she enjoys reading mystery novels, celebrating Halloween, eating Japanese food, and cozying up with her black cat, Coal.
Experience →
- Holds a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Latin from The College of Charleston.
- Serves as Lead Pre-K Teacher, bringing a passion for early childhood development and learning.
Miss Kaleigh
Assistant Pre-K Teacher
Kaleigh has been a teacher at CLL for 2 years, teaches the students sign language, and loves teaching from a whole-child approach
Miss Kallie
Preschool/3’s Teacher
Kallie has been teaching at CLL for 4 years, 3 of which she was the Toddler teacher and then transitioned to the Preschool teacher, and she loves cats, history, and hiking/camping/any outdoor activities.
A Warm Start Matters at Morning Drop-Off
Morning separation can be difficult for young children, especially when they are new to childcare or going through a period of separation anxiety. We do not believe in rushing those moments or treating tears like an inconvenience that needs to disappear immediately.
Our teachers step in with patience, reassurance, familiar activities, and individual attention. Sometimes that means sitting with a child quietly, helping them transition into play, or finding a favorite classroom activity that makes the morning feel a little easier.
That approach reflects the kind of center we want to be. Parents need to be able to leave for work knowing their child is not simply being supervised, but genuinely comforted and cared for by someone who understands how important those moments can feel.
A Team That Feels Like an Extended Family
Our staff is warm, patient, approachable, and deeply nurturing. We take early childhood education seriously, but we also know that young children thrive when the adults around them are kind, consistent, and emotionally present.
We often describe our team as an extended family because of the way teachers work together and communicate with parents. Professional knowledge matters, but so does empathy, and we believe children benefit most when both are present. Our educators bring experience in play-based learning, cognitive development, and Kindergarten readiness. They also understand that teaching young children requires flexibility, patience, and a willingness to meet each child where they are.
Experienced Early Childhood Educators in the Classroom
Our lead educators are state-qualified professionals with experience supporting young children through different developmental stages. Because of this, they understand how to balance structured learning with the freedom children need to explore, move, play, and interact socially. Additionally, over half of our staff hold degrees in higher learning, and Ms. Landra also has a Master of Arts in teaching, in addition to having been in the early childhood education field since 2004.
Learn more →
That balance is especially important in early childhood because learning rarely happens in only one format. A block-building activity may support spatial reasoning and cooperation, while a story may develop vocabulary, listening skills, and imagination.
Our teachers intentionally connect those everyday experiences to larger developmental goals. The result is a classroom that feels playful to children while still providing meaningful opportunities for growth.
Preparing Children for Kindergarten With Confidence
Kindergarten readiness is about more than recognizing letters, numbers, colors, or shapes. Children also need experience following routines, communicating needs, working with others, solving small problems, listening to instructions, and becoming increasingly independent.
Learn more →
We help children practice those skills naturally throughout the day. Classroom routines give them opportunities to make choices, take responsibility for age-appropriate tasks, work through social situations, and participate in group activities.
By the time children transition into public Kindergarten, we want them to feel comfortable in a classroom setting and curious about learning. Academic preparation is important, but confidence, adaptability, and social readiness matter just as much.
Clear Communication Helps Parents Stay Connected
Parents should not feel disconnected from what happens once they drop their child off for the day. We place a strong emphasis on transparent communication so families can understand how their child is doing, what they are learning, and whether anything important happened during the day.
Learn more →
That communication also helps us work together when a child is going through a transition or facing a challenge. Consistency between home and school can make a major difference when it comes to routines, behavior, separation, and developmental milestones.
We see parents as partners in the process. Our teachers know what happens in the classroom, while parents know their child in a way no one else can, so sharing information helps everyone provide better support.
Built for Working Parents & Busy Families
Many of the families we serve are working parents and dual-income households that need dependable childcare to fit around professional and family responsibilities. We understand that childcare is not an occasional convenience for these families. It is part of the structure that allows the entire household to function.
Learn more →
Our extended weekday hours are designed to make daily schedules more manageable while still giving children a consistent learning environment. Parents can focus on work knowing their child is spending the day with teachers who understand their routines and individual needs.
That dependability is one reason families continue recommending us. They want a center that combines practical scheduling with genuine care, not one that forces them to choose between the two.
Watching Former Students Return Means Everything to Us
One of the most meaningful parts of serving a community for more than 40 years is seeing the story come full circle. Children who once spent their early years at Children’s Learning Ladder have grown up, started families of their own, and returned to consider us for their children.
Learn more →
Those moments remind us that early childhood care can become part of a family’s history. A classroom that once helped a parent feel secure and curious can become the same place they trust with the next generation.
That kind of connection keeps us motivated. We are proud of the curriculum and the learning we provide, but the relationships built over decades are what truly show us the lasting impact of the center.
A Comfortable First Conversation Without Pressure
Choosing childcare is a big decision, and we do not expect families to make it after reading a website or asking one question. The first step is simply a conversation with Ms. Landra about your child, your schedule, your priorities, and anything you are unsure about.
Learn more →
From there, we invite families to tour the center so they can see the classrooms, meet the people, and get a better feeling for the environment. We want parents to make an informed decision rather than feel pressured to enroll quickly.
There is no need to have every question prepared in advance. We are happy to walk through the process, explain how the day works, and help you determine whether Children’s Learning Ladder feels like the right fit for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
We provide childcare and early education for children ages 12 months through 6 years. Our classrooms are designed around the developmental needs of young children at different stages.
We have served local families since 1983, giving us more than 40 years of early childhood experience. Our center has grown and adapted over time while maintaining the personal atmosphere families have always valued.
Our current hours are 7:00 AM to 5:45 PM. Those expanded hours are intended to support working parents and households that need dependable weekday childcare.
Yes. We support early academics, language, cognitive development, social skills, routines, and growing independence. Our goal is to help children enter Kindergarten feeling confident and comfortable in a classroom environment.
We combine play-based learning with structured, age-appropriate educational activities. This allows children to explore naturally while still building important skills that support development and future school readiness.
We respond with patience and individual attention rather than rushing the child. Teachers may offer comfort, calming activities, or familiar classroom routines to help the child transition while giving parents peace of mind.
Open parent communication is an important part of our culture. Our teachers share relevant information about children’s experiences, routines, progress, and concerns so families can stay connected.
Ms. Landra, our Center Director, helps families through the enrollment process. She can discuss your child’s needs, answer questions, explain scheduling, and arrange a personal tour.
Call us at (724) 327-6844 or send us a message to request a personal center tour. We will help you find a time to visit, meet our team, and learn more about the program.
Come See Why Generations of Families Have Grown With Us
For more than 40 years, Children’s Learning Ladder has been a place where young children can feel secure, build friendships, explore new ideas, and prepare for the next stage of learning. We’re truly proud of our small classes, nurturing educators, play-based approach, and close relationships with parents, but what matters most is the trust families place in us every morning. So if you’re looking for childcare and early education for a child between 12 months and 6 years, just call us at (724) 327-6844 or send a message to schedule a personal tour and meet our extended family.
