North Tidewater News

The City of Newport News, in collaboration with Peake Childhood Center and Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC), has announced the opening of the Newport News Early Childhood Development Center (NNECDC). The official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on January 16 at 1 p.m. in the Southeast community of Newport News. The event was open to the public, inviting local officials, educators, and community leaders to celebrate this new educational facility.

The NNECDC aims to provide high-quality early childhood education and care for around 200 children aged between six weeks and five years. Although situated in Newport News, the center will cater to families from across the Peninsula, offering an innovative learning environment for young children.

“This facility represents more than just a place of learning,” stated Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones. “It is a commitment to ensuring all children, regardless of their background, are ready to succeed when they begin school. We know high-quality early education leads to long-term success, and this center is a step forward in empowering families and strengthening our community.”

The center's design focuses on supporting children's academic, social, and emotional development to ensure readiness for kindergarten and beyond. It will continue using a sliding-scale tuition rate model based on family income and need, making quality education more accessible.

“This center addresses a critical community need: parents desperately seeking quality childcare they can afford,” said Dr. Jennifer Parish, Executive Director of Peake Childhood Center. "Our Hampton center has a waitlist of hundreds of families that we simply cannot accommodate. This new location will not only expand availability in a state-of-the-art center; it also will be a model for future centers because of the partnership between the City of Newport News, Virginia Peninsula Community College, and Peake Childhood Center."

Additionally, the facility will serve as a professional development resource for early childhood educators by providing ongoing training opportunities. VPCC acknowledges the shortage of early childhood educators as a significant challenge affecting workforce economic vitality. To address this issue, its Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Development offers degree and certificate programs aimed at preparing individuals for careers as early childhood educators.

“VPCC graduates will be qualified for employment in childcare and educational facilities across Virginia,” said Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon, President of Virginia Peninsula Community College. “Our classes are scheduled during the day, evening, and weekends to accommodate the diverse and complex needs of our student population. The Center is more than just a building; it represents a pathway to brighter futures for our families and the entire community.”