Believers Early Learning Center was born from a problem we could no longer ignore.

Before BELC opened its doors, our founder, Pastor Matthew Castillo, helped operate a community learning center serving school-aged children. While working directly with students, he saw firsthand how many children were struggling with basic reading skills, some well beyond the grade level at which those foundational skills should have already been established.

What he witnessed was not simply an academic challenge affecting a few students. It was part of a much larger literacy crisis impacting children in communities throughout York County and across the nation.

That experience raised an important question: What would happen if we reached children before they began falling behind?

Research and experience pointed toward early intervention. Children need to be introduced to the building blocks of reading before they enter kindergarten and the early elementary grades. Skills such as phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and oral language development can give children a stronger foundation for future academic success.

That realization became the beginning of Believers Early Learning Center.

BELC was created to provide children with more than supervision throughout the day. We offer a safe, nurturing, faith-based learning environment where children can grow academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Through intentional instruction in early literacy, STEM exploration, character development, and biblical principles, we help children develop the skills and confidence they need to enter kindergarten, first grade, and second grade prepared to learn and succeed.

We believe that strengthening a child’s future also strengthens the family and the surrounding community. BELC exists to support working parents, serve local families, create meaningful employment opportunities, and help raise a generation of confident and capable learners.

We invite you to experience BELC for yourself. Schedule a private tour to visit our classrooms, meet our team, and learn how Believers Early Learning Center can support your child’s growth and development.