Verner Center at Emma Elementary School
Update: The new Verner Central at Emma Elementary School opened its doors in April of 2022! The center now has eight classrooms operational and families may apply to get their child on the waiting list for this location here.
During the summer of 2020, Verner Center for Early Learning broke ground on a new 10-classroom early learning center to house four of Verner’s currently existing Early Head Start classrooms and to expand six new classrooms to serve families with children ages six weeks to five years old in Buncombe County. The project continues to move toward completion as the modular buildings are put in place on site at Emma Elementary School in West Asheville.
During the summer of 2020, Verner Center for Early Learning broke ground on a new 10-classroom early learning center to house four of Verner’s currently existing Early Head Start classrooms and to expand six new classrooms to serve families with children ages six weeks to five years old in Buncombe County. The project continues to move toward completion as the modular buildings are put in place on site at Emma Elementary School in West Asheville.
The project is made possible by the support and partnership of Buncombe County Schools and funding from Buncombe County’s Early Childhood Education and Development Fund, WNC Bridge Foundation, the Glass Foundation, and Dogwood Health Trust.
The expansion will allow the new center to:
The expansion will allow the new center to:
- Provide high-quality early care and education (ECE) to approximately 100 children ages six weeks to five years old;
- Expand the number of slots in our high-quality early education program by approximately 68 (mostly for infants and toddlers, the greatest need in our community);
- Improve workforce development by hiring 22 early childhood education professionals;
- Offer a lab school setting for 25 Buncombe County Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) students;
- Increase access to early education for families from all socio-economic and ability levels, races, cultures, family types, and backgrounds;
- Scale up the high-quality, evidence-based early education Verner provides; and
- Improve growth and developmental outcomes of participating children as measured by evidence-based child outcome assessments.
Buncombe County Schools has partnered with Verner to apply for and receive funds from Buncombe County Government’s Early Childhood Education and Development Fund and has overseen the design and construction process.
The Glass Foundation, WNC Bridge Foundation, and Dogwood Health Trust have also granted capital grants to Verner to support the project.
There is an established need in Buncombe County for additional high-quality ECE. According to the Child Care Services Association, in February 2019 1,245 children ages birth to three and 2,640 three- to five-year-olds were enrolled in center-based ECE programs; only 54% of those children were enrolled in 5-star centers. The project aligns with Buncombe County’s strategic priorities to increase access to early education and improve the quality and quantity of early education teachers.
The Glass Foundation, WNC Bridge Foundation, and Dogwood Health Trust have also granted capital grants to Verner to support the project.
There is an established need in Buncombe County for additional high-quality ECE. According to the Child Care Services Association, in February 2019 1,245 children ages birth to three and 2,640 three- to five-year-olds were enrolled in center-based ECE programs; only 54% of those children were enrolled in 5-star centers. The project aligns with Buncombe County’s strategic priorities to increase access to early education and improve the quality and quantity of early education teachers.
Verner fosters wholistic learning environments where young children and families thrive. We work to foster active partnerships with families and the community to nurture the development of the whole child.
Verner currently serves approximately 250 families with children ages birth to five and expectant families, about 80% of whom are low-income, in our Home-Based program and at three centers across Buncombe County. Our centers include one on Riceville Road on Warren Wilson College (WWC) property that serves as a lab school, one at Montmorenci United Methodist Church in Candler, and one temporarily at Pisgah View Head Start in the Pisgah View Community. Verner is the only Early Head Start (EHS) provider in Buncombe County, partnering with 165 center-based or home-based low-wealth EHS children and families.
Verner’s trauma-informed and asset-based care approach provides children, families, and early educators with emotionally-responsive classroom environments.
Verner currently serves approximately 250 families with children ages birth to five and expectant families, about 80% of whom are low-income, in our Home-Based program and at three centers across Buncombe County. Our centers include one on Riceville Road on Warren Wilson College (WWC) property that serves as a lab school, one at Montmorenci United Methodist Church in Candler, and one temporarily at Pisgah View Head Start in the Pisgah View Community. Verner is the only Early Head Start (EHS) provider in Buncombe County, partnering with 165 center-based or home-based low-wealth EHS children and families.
Verner’s trauma-informed and asset-based care approach provides children, families, and early educators with emotionally-responsive classroom environments.