Newberg dental manufacturing giant A-dec has joined forces with George Fox University and Northwest Christian Church to develop what they term the Northwest Early Learning Academy, characterized as a child development center to serve the entirety of Yamhill County.

A consortium of Newberg organizations are determined to address a growing critical issue in the local community and across the land: child care.

Newberg dental manufacturing giant A-dec has joined forces with George Fox University and Northwest Christian Church to develop what they term the Northwest Early Learning Academy (NELA), characterized as a child development center to serve the entirety of Yamhill County.

Construction will begin in June at the church at the corner of Villa Road and Mountainview Drive and will comprise a 25,000-square-foot facility that will serve roughly 200 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old, a release said. The projected opening date is fall 2026.

Pastor David Case welcomed the project as it conforms with the goals of the church

“At NCC, we believe that real life change happens in community with others,” Case said. “I see NELA as the beginning of a cornerstone for how we continue to support families in our community through this collaborative partnership.”

Plans begin taking shape in 2024

The university and A-dec began making plans to construct the child development center, projected to cost in the neighborhood of $7 million, in spring 2024. The church joined the collaboration soon after.

The effort got a boost from Yamhill County in April 2024 when the county board of commissioners approved $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

The project began with A-dec and George Fox during the COVID-19 pandemic as the two organizations joined forces to identify a solution to the shortage of child care providers in Newberg and Yamhill County. The child care sector was hit hard during the pandemic recession, with the majority of Oregon counties considered “child care deserts.” A 2024 study determined that Yamhill County had only one open child care slot for every 10 children ages infant to 2 years old, and only two slots for every 10 children ages 3 to 5.

George Fox’s leader echoed Case’s words in endorsing the development.

“We are so pleased that these three fine Newberg institutions can create such an innovative partnership,” George Fox President Robin Baker said. “One of George Fox’s strategic goals is to serve our community and helping provide affordable childcare is a tangible way to improve the lives of our neighbors. We’re grateful to all those who are supporting this effort. I believe this project will make a big difference to families in our city and region.”

Scott Parrish, chair of the A-dec board of directors, concurred: “A-dec’s purpose is to provide opportunities and care for people. I’m very excited that we can contribute to a center that will help provide greater access to high quality, affordable child care. My hope is that we’re creating a center that will benefit families in our community for many years to come.”

In addition to funds from the board of commissioners, the project has received financial support from the John and Ginger Niemeyer Foundation, Business Oregon and the city of Newberg.

Providing child care not the only goal

“We want this center to be a research and training facility as well as a model site for employer-supported child development,” the consortium stated in its application for ARPA funds to the board of commissioners. “We aim to provide additional support services on the site for parent education, community wellness and summertime child engagement to serve both the city of Newberg and Yamhill County.”

Although George Fox does not have an educational major in early childhood education, it does have some disciplines that could benefit from the exposure.

“Across many of our health care programs, which have been expanding rapidly in the last decade, we have students who do need clinical experiences with children’s services,” Shawn Daley, George Fox’s chief strategy officer, said. “These programs include education as well as clinical psychology, social work, kinesiology and occupational therapy.”

“A-dec’s purpose is to provide opportunities and care for people. I’m very excited that we can contribute to a center that will help provide greater access to high quality, affordable child care. My hope is that we’re creating a center that will benefit families in our community for many years to come.”

– Scott Parrish, chair of the A-dec board of directors