About

The more than 260 children served annually by Downtown Hampton Child Development Center (DHCDC) education/child development programs range in ages between six weeks and five years old. In 2015, 87% of our children came from low-income families. Even more children faced other risk factors. DHCDC nurtures young children by providing affordable, quality, full day care and education, in addition to two nutritious meals and snacks, to preschool children of low-income families living on the Virginia peninsula. We maintain the only sliding-scale tuition rate for children available locally, based on family income and need. We prepare low-income and "at risk" preschoolers for success in school and beyond. Our services make it possible for low-income parents to work or attend school with peace of mind, knowing their children are safe and thriving. Our school offers free parenting seminars and other family-focused activities to help forge the critical link between a child's future academic success and a stable home life. The majority of DHCDC's teachers hold four-year degrees. The Center also employs an Education & Resource Director who is responsible for overseeing classroom curriculum, ongoing training and connecting families with needed community resources. DHCDC's program is not only affordable, but is also top-rated. The Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), placing it in the top 7% of child care programs in the country.

Without DHCDC, many of the Peninsula’s at-risk preschoolers would:
•     Start school without the math, reading and other skills needed to succeed
•     Be held back one or more grade levels and require frequent interventions
•     Be more likely to participate in juvenile crime
•     Fail to graduate high school
•     Lack the necessary workforce skills to obtain and hold a job
•     Be more likely to go on welfare

One of our parents shared: “I’m excited for Ella moving on to start her next journey, but I’m equally sad to say goodbye,” a parent of a rising kindergartener recently shared. “She has grown immensely socially, emotionally, cognitively, and demonstrates that she is ready for kindergarten.”