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Davie County Schools explores Brock Center expansion to add year-round child care; 103 families on waitlist
Summary
District staff outlined plans to use the lower level of the Brock Center for a new 12-month, full-day childcare site to expand preschool capacity. The proposed space would start with about 53 slots (building capacity 89), run 7 a.m.–6 p.m., and be licensed as a private childcare facility, with tuition and operational details pending county and state approval.
Davie County Schools presented plans to expand early childhood services by pursuing use of the lower level of the Brock Center (former Mudpies facility) as a year-round childcare and pre-K site, staff said.
McKenzie, who is leading family outreach, told the board the proposed Brock Center model would be licensed as a private childcare center offering 12-month service from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., in contrast to the district’s current 10-month developmental preschool tied to the school calendar. The initial operating target is roughly 53 children across four or five classrooms; the building’s full capacity is 89. Staff emphasized the difference in funding: the current program uses braided funding (EC dollars, DSS, private pay) while the Brock Center option would operate on private-pay tuition and a different fee structure.
McKenzie said the district has a waitlist of approximately 103 families who originally expected the current program model; staff have sent outreach emails and plan individualized calls to discuss the different schedule and tuition model. She cautioned that multiple approvals are still required: county agreements, licensing changes, and legal review of a facility-use agreement.
Superintendent Dr. Belchure told the board the district is not seeking to mix preschool revenue with the general fund and that the program is expected to be self-sustaining; initial years may not be highly profitable and fee structures are intended to cover staff salaries and program expenses. Board members asked whether the Brock site would serve children with special needs; staff clarified the district’s licensed developmental-day preschool sites would remain in place and that the Brock facility, if licensed as a private child-care center, would not replace specialized developmental-day classrooms.
Staff said their next steps include finalizing an agreement with the county, completing licensing requirements, confirming enrollment interest from families, and presenting finalized operational details to the board once approvals are in hand.
