Early Learning Center​

At the Irene Wortham Early Learning Center, children ages six weeks to pre-k with and without developmental challenges learn, play and grow together in an integrated setting.

Our Early Learning Center enrolls children 0-5 years old with developmental disabilities and who come from low-income families. The classrooms emphasize social and emotional development, while preparing the children to graduate and enter Kindergarten.

The center currently enrolls 100 children, but has a waitlist of more than 400. The services we provide are an evident community need, so our plans to expand and build a new Early Learning Center in the next 5 years are a priority!

This tournament is our kick-start fundraising event for this building project. All funds raised will go toward pre-building efforts including meeting with architects, getting building renderings, getting permits, and launching a strong capital campaign.

The Early Learning Center opened in 1970 with a $100,000 capital campaign. We still use the original building to this day! The plan to build a new Early Learning Center in the next 5 years will be a $5 million project backed by a capital campaign.

40% of the children in the Early Learning Center have developmental disabilities and 60% of the children come from low-income families. The center emphasizes inclusivity in the classrooms by having typically developing students learning alongside atypical learners.

We are one of only two organizations in Buncombe County serving pre-K children with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities. Our strong teacher to student ratio ensures every child has an individualized development plan based on their personal learning and growth needs.

What We Do

The Early Learning Center features the highest possible rating given to a child care center in the State, with small class sizes that allow teachers to focus on the individual learning styles and needs of each child in our center whether they are developing typically or are challenged with mild to profound disabilities.

Our staff is educated and trained in early childhood development and has the knowledge and skills to impact a child’s learning and development. All children are screened for developmental progress. We offer on-site physical, speech and occupational therapy for children with mild to profound disabilities who are not meeting their milestones.

  • Leading Voice for those with Developmental Challenges
  • Small Class Sizes and Low Teacher-to-Child Ratios
  • Highly-Qualified and Medically-Trained Staff
  • Child Development Focused
  • Healthy Food Program

Donations

If you can’t attend the tournament, consider donating. Even a small donation will make a huge difference.

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Registration

Whether you want to boost your business, play a round of golf, or both, there’s a registration package for you!

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