Bilingual Learning
Spanish in every classroom, every day — so children grow up with two languages as a natural part of how the day works.
About Malave
A bilingual Lancaster center where children are known, supported, and grow up speaking two languages
A Spanish-immersion, Montessori-style child care center serving Lancaster families with warm daily care, hands-on learning, and chef-prepared meals — every day.
Our mission
Care that grows the whole child — in both languages
Malave Child Care Center serves Lancaster families with a nurturing, bilingual environment built around three things: Spanish-immersion learning, a Montessori-style approach blended with play-based exploration, and chef-prepared meals so families never have to pack lunch.
The goal is not just supervision. It is to give children a place where they feel safe, welcomed, and naturally fluent in two languages — and to give parents a center they can trust week after week, with clear daily communication you can count on.
What families can expect
The everyday feel of Malave
Every family wants to know what the day actually looks like. Here's what to expect from us, week in and week out.
- A warm, bilingual classroom environment
- Spanish woven into songs, stories, and daily routine
- Montessori-style hands-on learning
- Chef-prepared meals and snacks included
- Predictable routines and gentle structure
- Photos, videos, and daily updates through the Brightwheel app
Values
What we care about most
The everyday principles behind how we care for children and work with families.
Safety
Children should feel secure and well cared for throughout the day — before anything else.
Nurturing Relationships
Warm, patient interaction matters as much as activities and schedules.
Hands-On Growth
Montessori-style learning and play-based exploration help children build independence and curiosity by doing, not by being told.
Respect for Families
We want the center to feel approachable, supportive, and easy to communicate with — through tours, conferences, and ongoing daily communication.
Inclusive of Every Child
We welcome children with IEPs, IFSPs, developmental delays, and special health needs, and partner with Early Intervention and IU13 to support every family.
From the owner
A note from Marisol Malave
"Thank you for considering Malave Child Care Center for your family. As this is the most important stage of your children's growing lives, I want you to feel confident that they are in the right hands."
"Our mission is to provide your children with quality care, a safe and respectful environment, and to prepare them for success beyond our doors. We want every parent to feel confident and welcome here — that trust is everything to us."
— Marisol Malave, Owner
Malave Child Care Center meets all the requirements and standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and is a participant in the Keystone STARS program.
Inclusion & special needs
Every child belongs at Malave
We are committed to an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment for every child and family. Our practices align with the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) inclusion standards, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
That means we welcome children with developmental delays, disabilities, and special health needs — and we work in partnership with families and specialists to make sure every child can participate fully.
What we do
- Welcome children regardless of ability or background
- Implement IEPs and IFSPs in partnership with families
- Adapt routines, materials, and the environment to fit each child
- Train our staff regularly in inclusive practice
Who we partner with
- Pennsylvania Early Intervention (Infant/Toddler & Preschool)
- Lancaster-Lebanon IU13
- Speech, occupational, and behavior support specialists
- Families — first and most important
If you have questions about your child's development or about inclusion at our center, contact our director — or call CONNECT, Pennsylvania's free Early Intervention helpline, at 1-800-692-7288.
How we communicate
Family communication, every step of the way
From day one, you'll know how the day is going — with daily updates, conferences, and tours whenever you'd like to visit.
Daily updates via Brightwheel
We use the Brightwheel app for everyday communication. You'll get photos and videos from your child's day, updates on the meals they ate and how they napped, and important announcements from the center — and you can make your weekly payments right from the app.
Twice-yearly conferences
We hold parent conferences twice a year to talk through your child's growth, goals, and any questions you have — no pressure, no rush.
Twice-yearly observations
Each teacher completes two written observations per child each year, with goals you and your child's teachers set together.
Tours and visits
We're always happy to show you around — schedule a tour to see the classrooms, meet the team, and ask any questions.
A look around the center
A quick feel for the spaces, activities, and everyday moments that shape a day at Malave.
We'd love to show you around
The best way to get a feel for the center is to visit, ask questions, and see the space for yourself.