Early Learning Center

Sentara Martha Jefferson and Piedmont Family YMCA are teaming up to improve access to healthcare and childcare for families in our community.

Childcare=Healthcare

When it opens in early 2026, the YMCA Early Learning Center at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital will ensure continued access to healthcare for our patients by providing affordable, high-quality childcare for our teams. Ensuring our team is here to care for our community while their children remain close and safe means that our staff is work-ready and their children are school-ready.

Sentara staff have priority enrollment, and tuition is assessed on a sliding scale. To ensure that the center is accessible and affordable to all staff, the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation is working to establish a $5 million endowment to support the Early Learning Center in perpetuity.

Sentara MJELC Rendering

At a glance

  • Number of kids: 148
  • Ages: 6 weeks to 5 years
  • Size of Facility: 13,250 sq. feet
  • Classrooms: 8, plus outdoor classrooms and play spaces
  • Food Services: Nutritious meals and snacks provided on-site
  • Operating Hours: 6:30am – 6:00pm (extended to accommodate healthcare shifts)
  • Timeline: Opens January 2026

Endowment Goal = $5 million

All our team members are committed to serving this community, and they want to be here--but they can only do that if they have access to reliable, affordable, and high-quality childcare. Supporting working parents in this way directly supports the health of our entire community.

Pat Scherle
Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer

Have questions?

To find out more and get involved, please contact the Martha Hospital Foundation.

Early Learning Center Construction Update June 1, 2025

Sentara Martha Jefferson broke ground in November on the YMCA Early Learning Center at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. Slated to open in early 2026, the Center ensures high-quality, affordable childcare for our team, so they can continue to provide exemplary care to our patients and community.