North Bay Children’s Center: Building a Future, One Preschool Classroom at a Time

Our nation’s economic future depends on an educated and skilled workforce, and early childhood education is the most effective pathway to achieve it. Yet too many children are left behind during this critical stage of development.

The North Bay Children’s Center is dedicated to changing that, ensuring all children — especially our most vulnerable — have access to high-quality early learning experiences that lay the foundation for lifelong success. Today, we serve over 650 infants, toddlers and preschoolers across 14 locations in Marin and Sonoma counties.

With immense gratitude and joy, we now celebrate the opening of the Al and Lisa Brayton Campus in Novato, a milestone 18 years in the making. More than just classrooms and gardens, this new campus represents an investment in children, families and the future of the North Bay.

With space for 176 children, the new campus will enable us to significantly increase our child-care capacity, strengthen early learning outcomes and create a national model for high-quality, inclusive and environmentally focused education.

Every square foot was designed with care to create spaces that spark curiosity, foster resilience and encourage problem-solving. From our state-of-the-art classrooms and teacher training center to the outdoor kitchens and amphitheater, the campus offers children hands-on opportunities to learn, explore and grow.

What truly sets this campus apart is our Garden of Eatin’ Learning Lab, designed to serve the broader community of early childhood educators. This innovative lab will be a hub of research, training and collaboration, sharing best practices and sustainable approaches to child care far beyond our own doors. Here, educators can learn side by side with children, experimenting with curricula that integrate gardening, nutrition, environmental awareness and play.

Parents, too, benefit from knowing their children are in a safe, nurturing environment, giving them the ability to pursue work, support their families and contribute to the local economy.

The opening of our beautiful new campus is a powerful testament to the strength of community. Donors, school districts, civic leaders, businesses, service organizations and families all came together to make this vision a reality. And none of this would be possible without extraordinary board members and staff, the engine behind NBCC’s growth and innovation.

On behalf of North Bay Children’s Center, I extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who played a role in bringing this dream to life. Whether through a financial gift, lending professional expertise, volunteering time or championing the project within the community and service group networks, your efforts have built far more than a facility. You have built hope, equity and opportunity for generations of children and families.

Together, we have shown that when a community unites behind its youngest members, extraordinary things can happen. We look forward to the laughter, discovery and growth that will fill these classrooms and gardens for decades to come. This is not just the opening of a new campus; it is the beginning of a brighter, stronger future for the North Bay and beyond. For that, we are deeply grateful.

Yet even as we celebrate this accomplishment, we must also acknowledge a larger truth: Access to affordable, high-quality child care cannot depend on philanthropy and individual commitment alone.

Families across the nation (and across Marin) are struggling. The shortage of affordable early learning opportunities places enormous strain on parents, employers and communities. Public policy must play a central role.

Lawmakers at every level have the power — and the responsibility — to invest in early childhood programs, support working parents and ensure that every child has the education and care they deserve.

We call on policymakers, business and community leaders, parents, grandparents and all who care about the future of our children to join us in this effort. Advocate for funding, champion legislation that supports working families, and invest in programs that give every child a strong start and the chance to enter school ready to succeed.

By prioritizing children and families today, we strengthen local economies, promote equity and secure a brighter future for generations to come.

Together, we can ensure that every child in Marin has access to high-quality early learning, that every parent has the support they need, and that our communities thrive as a result.

Susan Gilmore is president and CEO of the North Bay Children’s Center. Learn more at NBCC.net.