About

In the summer of 2013, a group of concerned citizens came together in an effort to address the growing need for affordable, quality child care in rural, central Virginia. This need was initially identified by the Albemarle County Department of Social Services through several community surveys and focus groups. Prior to this time, few childcare options were available to the families of Scottsville and the surrounding area.

With the Town of Scottsville as the epicenter, a twenty-mile radius was set and the workgroup began exploring locations for a future child care center. This area is comprised of four counties—southern Albemarle, Fluvanna, Buckingham, and Nelson—and as the workgroup sought to make a child care center a reality for these communities. Our desire to provide care to all children in our community regardless of their social, racial, religious, or economic status and to provide a holistic learning environment in order to address each child’s developmental, social, physical and spiritual needs. We present every child with an opportunity to grow into a responsible member of their community.

With the creation of the workgroup, much was accomplished.  A Board of Directors was assembled, a location was determined, and a 501(c)3 non-profit status was secured.  As progress was made in preparing the building for the child development center, the Board of Directors was presented with an opportunity.

During the summer of 2015, the HeadStart program at Yancey Elementary School was suddenly discontinued. The Board of Directors saw this as an opportunity to provide a quality program to 3 and 4-year-old children and proposed a partnership with Albemarle County School Board and the after-school program at Yancey Elementary School, Club Yancey. After much discussion between the three partners, a plan was created and Little Learners Tricounty was developed.  Within three months, a preschool classroom was established, a DSS license was granted, two teachers were hired, and children were enrolled.