Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) will open its new Early Childhood Education Center in Ashburn in spring 2025, offering affordable full-day preschool programs through Head Start and Early Head Start. The center will support more than 70 children and their families.
A key feature of the center will be its innovative Outdoor Learning Lab, funded by the PNC Foundation and developed with help from Out Teach, a nonprofit focused on creating interactive outdoor classrooms. The lab is designed to spark curiosity and engage young learners through hands-on experiences.
The lab will include weather stations, plant beds, animal habitats, and an outdoor kitchen, all aimed at promoting STEM learning and fostering a love of nature.
More than 75 volunteers from NVFS, PNC, Out Teach, and the local community worked together last month to build the lab.
“The Outdoor Learning Lab reflects the power of collaboration and our commitment to the Loudoun community,” said Stephanie Berkowitz, president and CEO of NVFS. “As the region grows, so does our investment in its future.”
The grand opening also included leaders from the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, and local government officials.
The launch of the Outdoor Learning Lab aligns with the 20th anniversary of PNC’s Grow Up Great initiative, a $500 million program focused on preparing young children for success in school and life.
The new Early Childhood Education Center will be located at 43323 Railstop Terrace, Ashburn, and is set to open in Spring 2025.
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