For more than 75 years, the Sewanee Children’s Center (SCC) has been a trusted space where young children grow, play, and thrive, and where families find community, connection, and care. This fall, SCC begins a new chapter: expanding its programs, welcoming new leadership, and deepening its commitment to early childhood education on the Mountain.

This transition follows the recent merger of SCC with the University Child Care Center (UCCC), combining two long-standing programs into one unified early learning center. All programming will now take place on the SCC campus, located behind the St. Mark and St. Paul Church. The newly expanded center will serve children from 6 weeks through 9 years old, with enrollment capped at 60 to ensure a personalized, high-quality experience for each child and family.

“We’re not just growing,” said Joe Barker, SCC Board President. “We’re building a stronger foundation for families in this community — one that’s responsive, sustainable, and rooted in trust.”

The merger responds to a growing need across our region. Franklin, Grundy, and Marion counties remain designated early childhood education deserts — areas where licensed care options fall far short of demand. For local families, especially those working at the University, hospital, and nearby schools and businesses, access to reliable childcare is a critical factor in being able to work and stay rooted in the community.

“Since 1949, St. Mark & St. Paul has been very pleased to support SCC’s excellence in education and care by providing space and thus lowering the cost to parents,” said the Rev. Rob Lamborn, Rector of the parish previously known as Otey Memorial. “SCC’s dedicated and skilled staff and volunteers render invaluable service to the wider community.”

As part of this new chapter, SCC is excited to introduce its leadership team. Elizabeth Sowell, who served as UCCC’s Director, has been named Director of the combined center. She brings a background in early childhood education, a deep understanding of both programs, and a passion for collaboration and reflective practice. She’s joined by Blake Drinen, a Sewanee native with experience in camp leadership, including serving as the Interim Summer Director at SCC, early childhood education, and art, who now serves as Assistant Director and will oversee the after-school program.

“This merger was about more than solving immediate challenges — it was about building something stronger and more sustainable for families, teachers, and the Sewanee and greater Plateau community,” said Sandy Baird, SCC Board Treasurer and Merger Chair. “By combining our resources, we’ve created a model that can grow with the needs of Sewanee while preserving the child-focused values that have always defined SCC.”

“The consolidation of UCCC into the Sewanee Children’s Center will result in a stronger and more sustainable model of quality early childhood education for the Sewanee community and beyond. We are pleased that former UCCC Director, Elizabeth Sowell, will be serving as the Director of SCC, and we look forward to the University’s continued partnership to support the success of this new collaboration,” stated Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen.

This fall, families will see a number of visible changes:

A new outdoor classroom designed for the “Explorers” after-school program

The completion and opening of SCC’s first licensed infant nursery, welcoming an inaugural class of infants and toddlers

A new partnership with Sewanee Dining to offer hot lunch options

A collaborative art installation, led by local artist and SCC parent Jessica Wohl, to celebrate the combined identity of the newly merged program

But the most important changes may be less visible. At a recent board retreat, Sowell shared her goals for SCC’s first 90 days — centered on deepening teacher relationships, strengthening shared philosophy, and helping every educator feel part of a unified, inclusive village.

“We’re asking ourselves big questions,” said Sowell. “Who are we together? What do we want to stand for as a school? And how do we create a space that reflects and celebrates all of the children and families in our care?”

SCC’s program is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and other research-based philosophies, emphasizing child-led learning, curiosity, and play. Its classrooms are designed to spark imagination and reflect the community’s values — a place where children feel known, safe, and inspired.

While much has changed, SCC’s mission remains the same: to serve families across the Plateau and the Mountain through cooperative, community-rooted early childhood education.

“Our success has always come from people showing up,” said Barker. “Parents, teachers, board members, neighbors — each playing a small part in something much bigger.”

Access to high-quality early childhood care isn’t just a family issue — it’s a foundation for community well-being. When working parents have safe, nurturing places for their children to learn and grow, it strengthens our schools, our workforce, and our local economy. And for children, those early years are critical: research shows that brain development, language acquisition, and emotional connection all flourish when kids are in environments that support curiosity, security, and joy.

As this new school year begins, SCC welcomes your involvement. Whether it’s supporting a classroom project, helping sponsor enrichment activities, or simply sharing the story with a new family, there are many ways to be part of what comes next.

This is more than a school. It’s a shared investment in our community’s future — and we’re grateful to build it together.