Current Verner Families

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About Verner

Early Education
Beyond the Classroom
Mental Wellness
Mission:
Verner is committed to creating exceptional educational and relationship-driven learning environments for children from prenatal stages to pre-kindergarten, ensuring that every individual is valued and respected. Our programming is centered around children and their families. We actively engage with families and early education partners to offer integrated services, supporting family wellbeing throughout a child’s developmental journey.
Vision:
An early childhood education community where every individual thrives.​
Beliefs:
All children deserve high quality, comprehensive early care and education. The most effective education of a young child requires the active partnership of family, community, and school. It is our purpose to nurture the development of the whole child. It is our obligation, as leaders in the profession, to model best practice for others in order to raise the quality of early care and education for children and families beyond the Verner walls.

1. High Quality Early Childhood Education

Through our Early Head Start, NC Pre-K, and childcare programs, we deliver high-quality early childhood education and care for children ages 0-5. Our childcare centers and educational programs offer highly trained and dedicated teaching and administrative staff, low child-to-staff ratios, nurturing environments, and programs designed to keep children actively engaged.

2. Family Services for Parents & Caregivers

Our programs provide parenting classes, individual consultation, and referrals to other social service agencies. Our Family Empowerment Program helps families set and meet self-sufficiency goals, such as finding employment or balancing their budget.

3. Health & Nutrition Services for Children 

Screenings:

Dental, vision, speech, hearing, and developmental screenings are provided for the children we work with. We also provide health resources that help families stay informed and up-to-date on preventative health care services.

Site Practices:

As a certified Shape NC demonstration site and a Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care Center, we model and practice healthy habits including developmentally appropriate tooth brushing, outdoor learning environments, and promoting healthy eating.

Nutrition:

Through our nutrition program, Rainbow In My Tummy® (RIMT), our child care centers provide children with healthy breakfasts, lunches, and afternoon snacks. Meals include a wide variety of nutritionally dense foods representing all of the colors of the rainbow.

4. Teacher Education

We provide a teacher mentoring program for our educators to increase their knowledge in the field and then model best practices to others on staff. We invite professionals in the field of early childhood education and development, and college students pursuing a career in teaching, social work, or nonprofit management to tour our centers and participate in our teacher training programs. 

1. We are the ONLY Early Head Start provider in Buncombe County.

We seek to deliver exceptional early learning experiences, giving every child a strong foundation to grow, learn, and thrive.

2. We offer innovative & comprehensive child development & clinical services. 

We care for the whole child, and the whole family, through comprehensive services that nurture growth, resilience, and lifelong success.

3. We created the Rainbow In My Tummy® Nutrition Program.

We’re transforming how children learn, eat, and grow, building healthy habits that lead to brighter futures across our community.

1. Be Curious

Lead with questions, and be open minded. 

2. Be Committed 

Be someone others can count on, and approach your work with passion.

3. Be Kind

Take care of each other. Say what needs to be said, and notice the good work of others.

4. Do What You Say

You are accountable for what you commit to. It’s okay to say no.

5. Do the right thing 

Approach your work with integrity. Do what is right, not what is easy.

Our History

The Mountain Area Child & Family Center was born out of the founding vision of Margaret O. “Danny” Verner and her husband, Hugh Verner – the founders of what is now “Verner.” Hugh and fellow community members wanted to ensure that high quality early care and education was available and affordable to children and families in our region. 

When we opened our doors in 2001, Danny’s vision was to serve not only our children and families, but to be a leader in the field and to be a resource to the entire community.

Image featuring the Verner East building front on a sunny day.

Verner East Building (2023)

Danny passed away in June 2008, but her vision continues to be realized by our staff each and every day. In January 2012, our board – with the support from founder and staff – embarked on a journey to adopt a new name for the organization, a process filled with exciting discoveries about who we are as an organization and what we want to provide our community.

During the renaming exercise, we kept coming back to Danny’s vision. Her tenacity and drive were contagious and our dedicated staff carry her same “bulldog” spirit today. It only seemed fitting to pay homage to this incredible woman and all she did for the community by naming the organization after the Verners. Our new name became Verner Center for Early Learning. In 2022 the doors opened to our second location, Verner Central! 

Image featuring the Verner Central Building front on a sunny dayVerner Central Building (2023)

Were you a part of Verner's history? Let us know! We'd love to hear how you helped the organization become what it is today!

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Verner Center for Early Learning is an equal opportunity employer.