Help us Save the Tebeau Children's Center!
Longtime Henderson County residents may remember the old childcare center on Tebeau Drive (off 9th Avenue) in Hendersonville. The center has been there since the early 1970’s and has gone by several names including Stay ‘n Play, Lovin’ and Learnin’, and the Hendersonville School for Little Folks. Over the past 50 years, generations of families have relied on the Tebeau Drive facility for safe, quality daycare for their children until it closed in 2020.
WNCSource recently purchased the aging property with the goal of renovating the building and outside grounds to create the Tebeau Children’s Center. David White, CEO of WNCSource explained, “It’s been a fixture in the community for over 50 years. So many of my friends and neighbors went there. It’s a special piece of Henderson County’s history that we want to preserve to help meet the needs of local families!”
Henderson County families are currently facing a childcare crisis. A 2021 Community Assessment Report by Smart Start Partnership for Children found that of the roughly 5,500 children (age 0-5) in Henderson County, only around 1,200 are enrolled in licensed childcare facilities. For those families who can’t find childcare, parents must rely on private unlicensed providers or grandparents, juggle schedules, or even leave the workplace. Lack of infant care, drop-in care, and care that matches parent’s work hours are factors that can affect a parent’s ability to work and support their families. There simply aren’t enough childcare options for working and low-income families. The Tebeau Children’s Center will offer Head Start, Early Head Start and NC Pre-K programs to nearly 100 children (ages 0-5).
You can help!
Renovations on the 50+ year old property are currently under way. Construction and materials are expected to cost $877,000. To date, WNCSource has raised over $817,900 through Federal and State grants, as well as support from private foundations including The Community Foundation of Henderson County and Dogwood Health Trust. Now we are turning to our local community for help in raising the remaining $59,000 needed to complete the project.
Every little bit helps! Your contribution, combined with others, will help us preserve this community landmark and offer Henderson County families access to safe, high-quality early childcare. Please visit our donation page to make a gift and help us save the Tebeau Children’s Center – for future generations!
