Our History of Shaping the Future
Since 1976, Children’s Village has been setting the highest standard of quality and preparing thousands of young children to achieve their potential.
Our Diversity Distinguishes Us
Since we opened in 1976, we have welcomed and supported a diverse community of families, staff, and volunteers. Our commitment to diversity continues today.
Our Families Make Us Proud
Today, mothers and fathers who had attended Children’s Village decades ago enroll their children here. Some of these “second generation” enrollees are in classrooms with the same teachers who taught their parents. In addition, several parents of current and former enrollees are teaching in our classrooms. To top it off, some of our former enrollees are now teaching here!
Here’s A Snapshot Of Our History, From Our Start
1976
Children’s Village opens, enrolling 52 preschoolers at its original home at 8th and Arch Streets (across the street from our current location) as one of the first industry-related state-licensed child care centers in Center City Philadelphia. The non-profit Council for Revitalization of Labor and Industry (CLI) leads the collaborative effort to benefit children of parents working in the unionized garment industry. Key to our founding is Jim Martin, who continues his commitment to Children’s Village as a longtime Board member.
1986
Relocates to our current home at 125 N. 8th Street.
1988
Children’s Village becomes independent 501(c)(3) and adds the Toddler Program.
1996
One of the first Philadelphia early child care and education programs earning accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). We have continued to achieve consecutive NAEYC reaccreditation, most recently in 2022 and with exceptional scores.
1997
Among the first programs eligible to participate in Child Care Matters (CCM), a 5-year collaboration of SEPA child care organizations. Funded by the William Penn Foundation and United Way of SEPA, CCM provides subsidies for low-income children enrolled in accredited child care sites and improves teacher education through T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) Scholarships.
1998
Collaborates with a local Head Start agency and opens one of the first Head Start/Child Care Collaborative programs in Pennsylvania.
2001-2003
Embarks on a major expansion project. The Women’s Community Revitalization Project spearheads our capital campaign, earning major grants from PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development and the William Penn Foundation. The result: our space expands, including a new outdoor play deck, and we double the number of children we can serve to 300.
2001
As part of the PA delegation, hosts the Education Commission of the States’ National Forum on Education Policy, the leading education policy annual event, in Philadelphia. Opens a small after-school program for a handful of school-age children that evolves into the School-Age Program, now serving 155+ children (K-7th grade) annually.
2002
Receives the George Bailey Award from The Reinvestment Fund for exemplifying the spirit of community building of fictional banker George Bailey (played by actor Jimmy Stewart in ‘It’ s a Wonderful Life’). NEWSWEEK magazine quotes Children’s Village in its ‘The Right Way to Read’ article.
2003
Participates in the Early to Learn (E2L) initiative. United Way of SEPA implements E2L to improve children’s physical, social, emotional, language, and cognitive school-readiness skills.
2007
Our decade-old “lending library on wheels ” now has a permanent home—our on-site PNC GROW UP GREAT Library opens with 1,500 titles. Today, it houses 5,000+ books, many in multiple languages and all electronically catalogued.
2010
Recognized by NAEYC as one of the top ten early childhood education programs in the nation for Excellence in Engaging Diverse Families.
2011
Marking our 35th year, we also expand our Head Start Program, adding three new Preschool Program classrooms that double as School-Age Program classrooms.
2013
We renovate our on-site commercial kitchen. The facility redesign and equipment upgrades accommodate our ever-growing enrollment and higher nutrition standards. We add a 7th School-Age Program classroom to respond to community need.
2014
Executive Director Mary Graham testifies in Washington, D.C., at a congressional briefing on the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG). CCDBG is later reauthorized.
2015
Happy 40th Birthday to us! In recognition of our outstanding contributions to a healthier Philadelphia region, Children’s Village is a 2015 GSK IMPACT Award Winner, one of only ten local nonprofits selected for the honor. Executive Director Mary Graham wins 2015 PennAEYC VOICE for Children Award.
2016
Partners with The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger to host esteemed panel on Ending Child Hunger. Renovates outdoor play deck, replacing climbing wall, upgrading play safety surface, and adding new awning and play table.
2018
Our commitment to diverse learners is recognized as exemplary; Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) names us as one of eight Philadelphia programs demonstrating high-quality inclusive practices.
2019
Named a PHL PreK provider. With extraordinary individual and foundation funding, Children’s Village establishes Philadelphia’s first hands-on adult Learning Lab for educators embedded in a high-quality early learning program. Honored as an Outstanding Equity Program by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s 2019 Diversity & Inclusion Awards.
2020
Our 44th year included an ambitious expansion to add an Infant Care Program and with the pandemic’s onset—an abrupt launch into uncharted territory. COVID-19 upends lives on a staggering scale. Our doors close for 15 weeks but we continue to connect with children and families. From the pandemic's onset and our mandatory closure (March 2020) to our reopening (July 2020), enrollment plummets from 426 to 28. We continue to respond appropriately both to the pandemic and to the needs of children and families. The pandemic crisis exacerbates funding issues that have long plagued the child care system. Unknowns and challenges continue. We remain anchored by our belief in the value of our work.
2021
Despite pandemic challenges, Children’s Village completes renovations, including adding classrooms and completing technology upgrades. The expansion allows us to welcome more children—including for the first time—infants. Our new Infant Care Program opened in September 2021.
2022
Honored with a Pennsylvania’s Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Silver-Level Award 2022.
As of September, for the first time in two and a half years, we serve 421 children, nearly the same number that we did pre-pandemic. Since, 2020, however, our capacity has grown and we experience enrollment gaps. Our outlook is much brighter than just one year ago. Thanks to federal, state, and local funding; individual donors; Board leadership; and the dedication of staff, we emerge intact from the pandemic crisis.
Awarded significant funding from the William Penn Foundation to pilot an innovative Early Care and Education (ECE) educator training model in response to the pressing need for well-trained and well-compensated ECE staff in our region.
Children's Village again earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest organization working on behalf of young children. NAEYC accreditation is the benchmark of early learning excellence and we achieved the distinction with flying colors! In fact, several of the classroom and program portfolios we created for the accreditation process earned exceptional scores and NAEYC has selected them to share with other programs pursuing accreditation.
It Takes A Village
A non-profit, private, independent agency, Children’s Village could not have accomplished so much without the passion and expertise of so many. Children’s Village is grateful to those who have shaped our past, including: families, advocates, teachers, volunteers, public and private funding partners, and community, political, and labor leaders. We also appreciate those who enhance our mission today and share our vision for the future.