Newbridge Academy for Kids’ (Newbridge Academy) celebrated the dedication of the renovated building and the ribbon-cutting of Wheeling’s newest licensed childcare center on Thursday, August 15.
Newbridge Academy, located at 1000 Main Street, serves as a welcoming gateway to downtown Wheeling, West Virginia, offering a nurturing environment where a child’s educational journey can flourish. As a nonprofit organization, Newbridge Academy is dedicated to building bridges toward a brighter future for every child.
Newbridge Academy provides a wide range of services, including a 236-spot childcare center with comprehensive infant, toddler, and preschool programs, as well as daily and afterschool care for children up to age 12. Newbridge Academy is poised to be a transformative asset for businesses in need of reliable employees and for hardworking families in Ohio County who have long sought quality childcare options.
Chris Figaretti, Lead Pastor of Newbridge Church, said “It has been breathtaking to watch this project come together so quickly. We saw a huge need in our community and decided to lead the way in bringing some relief to the people of the Ohio Valley. What we have ended up with has exceeded all our expectations. Our hope all along was to do this with such excellence that the rest of the community would want to be a part of it, and we feel like we have accomplished that.”
Wheeling has historically been known as a childcare desert, with a severe lack of licensed childcare facilities to meet the growing demand. Existing centers often have extensive waitlists, creating financial strain for families and hindering local economic growth.
Strategically located across from the historic Suspension Bridge, Newbridge Academy has revitalized a 1930s Art Deco building through $8 million in renovations, making it a cornerstone of Wheeling’s downtown revitalization efforts. This initiative represents a significant investment in the local economy, promising benefits for today and generations to come.
Newbridge Academy will be offering bold childcare opportunities for hardworking families. “We will be offering flexible part-time enrollment options,” explained Executive Director Rachael Goldbaugh. “We will be able to enroll children 12 months through 5 years at 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days a week per the childcare needs of each family. This is huge for work from home families that only spend a few days a week downtown for work.”
Newbridge Academy has both an indoor and a natural play outdoor playground, as well as several age-appropriate classrooms, a media room, and a soon to be opened Café, where parents and guests can congregate. Both the outdoor playground and Newbridge Café will soon be open to the public.
“Our nature-inspired natural playground on Market Plaza is the only one of its kind in Wheeling or the Ohio Valley. Our children will be able to play like they are in the woods while being in the beautifully renovated downtown area,” exclaimed Goldbaugh. “We are also thrilled that during evening hours and weekends when Newbridge Academy is closed, the outdoor playground will be opened to the public. The City of Wheeling helped to fund the playground through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, so it is only fitting that we share the beautiful space with local families,” added Goldbaugh.
The project is funded with historic and new market tax credits, City of Wheeling American Rescue Plan Act funds, a HUD Economic Development Initiative Congressionally Directed Spending Award, contributions from the generous congregation of Newbridge Church, private foundations, corporate sponsorships, and individual donors.
Preregistration and employment interest inquiry is open at https://www.newbridge.academy. Up to date information can be found on social media at Newbridge Academy for Kids.
Electronic donations may be made through the website. Unique sponsorship opportunities are available. Checks may be mailed to 647 Warden Run Road; Wheeling, WV 26003. Interested donors and sponsors are asked to call (304)242-0463or visit https://www.newbridge.academy .
