For children, it's like a home away from their real home.

Welcome to the world of Cope Childcare and Learning Center, located at 562 West Penn Pike, Tamaqua.Rosanna Cope, owner/director, said her staff of five oversees 25 children. The center has the capacity for 52 children."I would love to have the center filled," Cope said. "Our staff is very close, like family."Cope, who lives in Lehighton, received her director credential earlier this year. She has five years of experience in the field of education."All our staff is highly qualified, we have lesson plans in all rooms, and we work with infants closely to meet their developmentally appropriate practices," she said. "We want our little guys to find joy in learning and be lifelong learners."There are several factors that Cope said she believes sets her learning center apart from the rest."We're not just a glorified baby-sitter," she said. "We have qualified professional staffing, we're at a great location, and all of the practices that we use are up to date."Cope said that in her field, there is no such thing as a typical day."Every classroom is different," she said. "We react in a positive way, we travel in centers, and we do open-ended questions and open-ended activities, and we really let the kids explore and learn throughout the day."Cope said there are certain elements parents should look for before they decide to enroll their child in a child-care center."Look for professional certified teachers in the field, stay away from places that hire a lot of people who are just graduating and that it is just a steppingstone," she said. "Look to see that the center is clean, and the staff is friendly and approachable."The center will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.At that time, staff will be available to meet with families, and there will be activities for children.The center is now accepting enrollments. Weekday and Saturday tours are available.