Brief History

Past. The Janie Porter Barrett Day Nursery first opened its doors in the Fall of 1935 under the Works Progress Administration. The Center, the oldest in the Commonwealth of Virginia, was established by Daisy V. Green, a public health nurse from Petersburg. In 1984 the Center moved to its current location on Historic Ridge Street, several blocks from downtown Charlottesville under a new name, Barrett Day Care Center. The building it currently occupies is recognized on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.

In the summer of 2003, the Center underwent significant changes. The Board of Directors elected to change the name of the Center to reflect its emphasis on teaching and learning, with regard to all aspects of child development — social, emotional, intellectual and physical.

Present. In 2008, with enthusiasm and commitment Barrett Early Learning Center is preparing its children and families to live in the 21st Century. With the help of the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, our immediate plans include an evaluation of our current programs so that we may better serve the children of the surrounding community.

Adult Alumni

Brenda Payne Barrett

Robert N. Brown

Melvin "Sonny" Carter

Roberta J. Harris  Givens

Robert J. Harris, Jr

Harry Henderson jr

Samuel Henderson

Margaret Henderson- Anderson

Andrea Jackson

Cynthia Jackson

Dorothea L. Johnson

James H. Payne, Jr

Terri L. Payne

Cheryl Payne Williams

Note. If you are an alum and would like to add your name (and link) to this page, please feel free to contact us.