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  • We are hosting a School Supply Drive!

    We can’t wait to finally hear the pitter patter of students’ feet in the classroom again! But before we reopen, we need to have the supplies we need to support our students’ education. That’s why we’re inviting you to participate in our School Supply Drive, and help our students start the year off with the supplies they need to be successful.

    Check out our wish list here

  • Take a look at CFNC’s Reopen plan

    CFNC is reopening! We’re taking extra precautions to make sure our children, families, and staff are safe and healthy.

    Check out our Reopen Plan

  • We Stand United. Estamos Unidos. ባአንድነት እንቆማለን.

    As a multi-cultural, multi-racial community, we acknowledge there are many different experiences with racism and we must do better for our students and families to make sure we are not perpetuating racism intentionally or unintentionally. We are a preschool filled with families who come from over 24 different countries and speak 14 different languages. 100% of our students are black and brown. These recent events impact all of our families at CFNC and we stand together with them.

    Read our full statement here

  • CFNC Partnership with Sevatec Featured by WJLA

    CFNC and Sevatec’s partnership to provide food for our families attracted the attention of local news outlet, WJLA, which featured an article about our work helping feed families in need!

    Read the article here

  • CFNC Partners with Amazon to Close the Digital Divide

    Through the hard work and dedication of our Advisory Council, CFNC partnered with Amazon to provide every student with a free Kindle, Kids Edition with ClassDojo already downloaded on it. Now, they can continue their education while they’re staying safe at home!

    Read more here

  • CFNC Raises $43,932 on #Spring2ACTion

    On Wednesday, April 15, Alexandria came together to support our city’s incredible nonprofits on ACT for Alexandria’s 24-hour online giving event, Spring2ACTion. In 24-hours, CFNC was able to raise $43,932 to support our COVID-19 relief efforts.

    Thank you to everyone who contributed and supported!

  • Tasteful Affairs Catering Rolls Out Meal Kit Delivery Service – Donates Part of Proceeds

    Tasteful Affairs Catering, a local gourmet catering company, is rolling out a meal kit delivery service and has pledged 5% of the proceeds to be shared with The Child & Family Network Centers and The Campagna Center

    Enjoy a gourmet meal from the comfort of your own home by ordering a meal kit today AND give back to two wonderful education organizations in your community.

    Click here for more information

  • CFNC Hands Out Over 100 Bags of Food – and more ways to get involved

    Since the announcement that Alexandria City Public Schools is closed for the rest of the year, CFNC reached out to the community to collect food for our students and families. To date, we’ve already handed out over 100 bags of food and we’re just beginning!

    Click here to read more about our drives and initiatives 

  • CFNC Closes Monday and How You Can Help

    It’s been quite a week for our country and community, and I hope to hear you are all safe and healthy.

    ACPS is closed, and so, we will also be closing for the rest of the school year.

    We are grounded in our mission at CFNC: to provide free preschool and related services to our families in their own communities. Every day, our superstar team of teachers, family support workers, and administrative team balance the health and the needs of our community. We recognize that this is an uncertain time, but we want you to know, our team is prepared for whatever comes our way.

    Read more here

     

Our History

CFNC was started in 1984 by a group of mothers living in a public housing community after they learned that 17 of their children failed kindergarten. From that modest beginning, CFNC has continuously grown both the reach and depths of its programs in response to community need. CFNC currently serves 138 children and their families in 8 preschool classrooms in Alexandria.

“It’s hard to argue with a preschool program that shows twice the student gains of other programs, especially when that program serves low-income families.”

- Northern Virginia Magazine

Our Staff

  • Jacquelyn Horstmann Didio

    Executive Director

  • Blanca Herrera

    Lead Teacher

  • Jeaneth Paredes

    Teacher

  • Sulma Cisneros

    Operations and Outreach Associate

SHOW ALL TEAM MEMBERS 

Our Financials

  • Year 2018

Year 2018

Source of Funding
Fund Amount
% of Total
Foundations
$364,232
19%
State Government
$559,795
28%
Individuals and Community Grants
$397,213
18%
Local Government
$500,550
25%
In-Kind Donations
$57,943
3%
Corporate
$82,120
5%
Other
$34,066
2%
Total
$1,995,919
100%
  Audited Financials and 990s

Our Board

Access to quality preschool is a predictor of school success. That’s why when a group of Alexandria children living in public housing failed kindergarten, their moms rallied by helping form The Child & Family Network Centers.Today, CFNC is an Alexandria-based network of 8 free, high-quality bi-lingual preschools that provide low-income children with the tools they need to succeed in school and in life. CFNC fills a void ensuring that children of the working poor have ongoing access to preschool so that they start elementary school on par with their classmates.Beyond preschool, CFNC helps the whole family by providing comprehensive educational and supportive services. It works. CFNC students have developmental gains that are three times the national average and start kindergarten ready to learn.

Careers at CFNC

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of children? Learn about career opportunities at The Child and Family Network Centers.

VIEW CURRENT OPENINGS   >>

Our Partners