BY: MARIA -PAULA

A collaboration between the Newport News municipality, Peake Childhood Center, and Virginia Peninsula Community College have launched a new project aimed at transforming the lives of young families while enhancing early education outcomes in the city.

Located in Southeast Community of Newport News, the facility will support residents from throughout the region.

This innovative project which leverages the expertise of involved partners is led by the city to ensure young children have access to the quality care they need for a strong foundational education and quality care.

“Nationwide, 56% of children who come from economically-disadvantaged homes are not ready when they begin school. High quality, early education programs increase student achievement from kindergarten through graduation and beyond. We plan to make early childhood education more accessible in Newport News and empower parents to become actively involved in their children’s learning,” said Newport News Mayor McKinley L. Price.

The three partnering bodies taking on different roles to ensure the Newport News Early Childhood Center succeeds will serve approximately 200 infants and toddlers aged six weeks to five years.

An avenue for teacher preparation and credentialing, Virginia Peninsula Community College’s (VPCC) Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Learning and Development will set base at the Newport News center. VPCC students will work with children at the center in a bid to fill Virginia’s early childhood teachers and caretakers’ shortage.

Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon, President of Virginia Peninsula Community College shared her excitement on the partnership which she said would see that more children arrive academically, socially, and emotionally prepared for kindergarten.

“Virginia Peninsula Community College will establish a Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Development to provide professional development for current teachers,” said Dr. Towuanna. “This will also offer specialized training as well as our associate degree courses in early childhood education to families, parents, and other adults at the new site. Our students will also have experiential training opportunities at the Early Childhood Center in this truly transformational partnership.”

Peake Childhood Center (PCC) which currently operates a site in Hampton will lead the programming and daily operations of the facility. With a plan to replicate many of its services and funding model in Newport News. PCC offers the Peninsula’s only sliding-scale tuition rate that is open to the public and is based on family income and need.

“This unique partnership of a municipality, nonprofit, and institution of higher learning will be a model across the state and nation,” said the Executive Director of the Peake Childhood Center, Dr. Jennifer Parish. “Peake Childhood Center will now provide affordable and high-quality care for children in Newport News while ensuring the children are school ready when they leave us. The support provided by Newport News assists our children while strengthening the workforce, as families can remain employed and receive support that helps them contribute to their child’s success.”

Construction on the Early Childhood Center is estimated to cost $11 million, with funds from the American Rescue Plan, while its opening is projected in the summer of 2024. The Peake Childhood Center has launched a fundraising campaign to secure the annual operating dollars needed for the facility. For more information and to support, visit www.peakecc.org