Virginia Beach families are seeing a new option for early childhood care as Little Achievers, a center that specializes in children with special needs, begins accepting infants as young as six weeks. The move comes as the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) expands preschool access for at‑risk three‑ and four‑year‑olds, shifting the landscape for traditional childcare providers.
Personal story highlights the need for specialized care
Monet Outlaw, a single working mother, chose Little Achievers for her son, who has level three autism. “I’m a working parent, single parent, and to have somebody you can leave your child with and trust is amazing,” Outlaw said. She praised the center’s intimate setting, noting that her son has “grown so much” with the patient, individualized attention he receives.
Statewide push for early education
The Virginia Department of Education reports that Early Childhood Special Education serves children ages two through five with identified disabilities or developmental delays, providing individualized education programs developed by educators and families. Simultaneously, the Virginia Preschool Initiative provides state funding to school divisions and community‑based organizations for preschool programs serving at‑risk three‑ and four‑year‑olds not covered by Head Start.
During the 2024‑25 school year, VPI enrolled 24,425 children, an increase of 1,387 from the previous year, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research. While the program is intended for at‑risk children, it does not cover every three‑ and four‑year‑old, leaving a gap for families with younger children or those needing special‑needs services.
Provider response to shifting enrollment patterns
Little Achievers owner Tabitha Darrell explained that the new preschool initiative has “drastically changed the scope of childcare.” With more children entering school at age three, traditional centers are seeing enrollment pressures. “A lot of centers are closing down… they’re having to close classrooms, having to lay their staff off,” Darrell said.
To adapt, Darrell announced that Little Achievers will now serve children as early as six weeks old, expanding beyond its original license for children 2½ and up. The center also continues to accept families receiving child‑care subsidy assistance, helping keep costs affordable for low‑income households.
Why the changes matter for families
For families like Outlaw’s, the ability to find a trustworthy, specialized setting for a child with autism is critical. “She is a lifesaver,” Outlaw said of the center’s staff.
Virginia’s broader investment in early childhood programs—including VPI, Mixed Delivery, and the Child Care Subsidy Program—reflects a state effort to meet growing family demand for affordable, high‑quality care. However, the shift also underscores the need for providers that can serve younger infants and children with special needs, a niche that Little Achievers is now filling.
Looking ahead
As the state continues to allocate resources toward early education, providers that can adapt to changing enrollment patterns and maintain specialized services will be essential for families seeking reliable care. Little Achievers’ expansion demonstrates one local solution to a statewide challenge, offering hope that Virginia Beach parents will have more options for their youngest and most vulnerable children.
Original reporting: WTKR News 3 (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
