For families living in Birmingham’s Villas at Titusville community, access to early childhood education is now just a short walk away.
The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) and Birmingham City Schools celebrated the opening of the Villas Early Learning Center Tuesday, a newly renovated facility designed to provide free early learning opportunities for children from four months old through pre-K.
For resident Andreanne “P” Smith, the center’s location is one of its biggest benefits.
Smith said having childcare within walking distance provides peace of mind for families who may face transportation challenges.
“You never know with cars. They may be running perfectly one day. The next day they don’t want to crank up,” Smith said. “So just to be able to walk your child to school, I can walk him to school first and then walk her to Washington (school).”
Smith said the center gives parents another resource while also creating opportunities for members of the community to get involved.
“I receive disability, so I’d be looking for something valuable to do with my time besides sit in the house and eat,” she said. “This can be something productive to do for the kids and also adults.”
The Villas Early Learning Center is located within the Villas at Titusville housing community, transforming the former Loveman Village daycare into a modern early childhood education facility.
The project was made possible through a partnership among HABD, Birmingham City Schools, and local and federal leaders. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell secured $1 million for the project through a federal government funding package. Birmingham City Councilor Crystal Smitherman contributed $600,000 in American Rescue Plan funding toward the center, while Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson also supported the project with funding for additional resources.
Sewell said the investment reflects the importance of making childcare accessible for working families.
“Childcare is not a luxury; it is essential,” Sewell said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Too many parents are forced to choose between pursuing a career and finding care that they can afford and trust.”
Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Mark Sullivan said the center represents a significant expansion of early learning opportunities across the city.
“When we started, we had 11 pre-K classrooms throughout our entire district,” Sullivan said. “Right now, we have over 50 classrooms.”
Sullivan said placing the center within the community removes barriers for families and helps children prepare for success before they enter kindergarten.
“The impact of that goes far beyond just the building,” Sullivan said. “It genuinely changes the lives of families.”
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin highlighted the importance of early childhood education as part of a larger effort to support children from birth through graduation.
“What we do for children between birth and five is literally one of the most important things we as adults can do in our community,” Woodfin said. "My desire is for every public housing site to have a center like this so that all families can have access to making sure their children are kindergarten ready.”
HABD President and CEO Dontrelle Foster said the project represents the agency’s broader mission of creating opportunities beyond housing.
“Providing housing is only part of our mission,” Foster said. “Access to quality early childhood education is one of the greatest investments we can make.”
