About Us

For 50 years, the Child Care & Learning Center has supported children and families in Rappahannock County.

Today, we serve children from three weeks through age 12 with high-quality care and a deep commitment to our community.

Children playing outside near a puddle of water on the ground, surrounded by fallen autumn leaves.

Mission.

At CCLC, we provide access to exceptional early childhood education in Rappahannock County, building strong foundations for children and families. We ignite and develop an enduring spirit of curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

Thriving Children. Healthy Families. Loving Community.

Philosophy

Our programs are grounded in research on early brain development and child psychology. We believe children learn best through:

  • Active exploration

  • Language-rich environments

  • Purposeful play

  • Caring, consistent relationships

  • Outdoor learning

  • Inclusive community

Children planting bulbs in seedling containers outdoors, with fallen leaves on the ground.

At a Glance

150

children served daily

60%+

families receive tuition assistance

10

acres of outdoor learning

50

years serving Rappahannock

Accreditation & Quality

CCLC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s leading authority on early childhood program quality. Only about 6% of licensed centers earn this distinction.

What this means for families:

  • Rigorous standards: Programs are evaluated across relationships, curriculum, teaching, family engagement, and health and safety

  • Consistent quality: Accreditation requires a multi-step review process and ongoing improvement

  • Strong learning environment: Children are supported by trained educators in a supportive, well-structured setting

A young boy in a blue shirt and shorts, wearing blue sandals, is crouching on a forest floor covered with fallen leaves. He is pointing to a signboard with educational information about tree seeds. The background shows the ground covered with dry leaves and small plants.

Community Partnership

CCLC was founded by community members and remains deeply rooted in Rappahannock County today. We work in close partnership with the community we serve, including:

  • Headwaters Foundation

  • Rappahannock Association for Arts and Community (RAAC)

  • Rappahannock Food Pantry

  • Totality Martial Arts

These partnerships help ensure every child in our community has a strong start.

Children gathered around a table, preparing or mixing ingredients in bowls, in what appears to be a cooking or baking activity.