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Grace’s Little Angels Preschool and Childcare has now opened its third location in the area, expanding its ability to assist families with the care and education of their children.

The Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting Thursday, May 2, at the new Grace’s Little Angels Infant Care Center located at 28287 Southampton Parkway in Courtland.

Approximately 50 people attended the event, including Virginia Del. Otto Wachsmann, Southampton County Sheriff Josh A. Wyche Sr. and Courtland Mayor Danny Roy Williams. Williams performed the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Raegan Pittman, owner and director of the nonprofit Grace’s Little Angels, said, “I decided to host a ribbon cutting because my staff seemed passionate about celebrating our achievements. I was blown away by the amount of people who came out to support our mission. It is still hard to believe that we now have three locations. There is such a need for child care in our area.”

THE HISTORY OF GRACE’S LITTLE ANGELS

Grace’s Little Angels Preschool and Childcare has been in operation for nearly 14 years.

Pittman began developing the skills to create and direct this nonprofit from an early age.

“At age 11, I began my job as the neighborhood nanny, and I have been caring for children ever since,” she said.

She graduated from Virginia Tech in 1999 with a goal of being a classroom teacher and went on to obtain her master’s degree in early childhood education from Old Dominion University.

She noted that she founded the Grace’s Little Angels daycare in 2010 when she was laid off from her teaching job at Southampton Academy — twice.

“When you get laid off from the same job twice, you have to tell yourself it is time to listen to God’s call,” she said.

She noted that she was led to open her own preschool and daycare. 

“I named it Grace’s Little Angels because it was born inside ‘Grace’ Memorial (United Methodist) Church,” Pittman said, referring to the church in Sedley. Noting there was further inspiration behind the nonprofit’s name, she said, “I lost a dear friend, Lindsay Pankey, to a heart attack at age 26. She was carrying a baby named Tyler ‘Grace.’ I feel that Tyler Grace and her mother are my angels that have inspired me to continue to care for and love God’s children as they watch over us.”

Pittman explained that Grace’s Little Angels opened its first center in September 2010 at Grace Memorial United Methodist Church. 

“We had 20 children and two staff,” she said.

The Grace Memorial location serves children ages 12 months to 12 years.

“In 2018 we opened a second site at High Street United Methodist (Church in Courtland), and they serve infants to age 12,” Pittman said. “In May of 2024 the Grace Memorial site voted to sponsor the third Infant Care Center in Courtland to offer more infant care to our area.”

She noted that this third center, located at 28287 Southampton Parkway, serves infants ages 6 weeks to 16 months.

“We are now open for business and only have a few spots left for infant care,” she said.

Across its three locations, Grace’s Little Angels Preschool and Childcare has grown to have more than 30 staff members.

“We currently serve over 125 families,” Pittman said.

WHAT THE NONPROFIT OFFERS

Grace’s Little Angels is open year-round from 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. The centers close for bank holidays, a week at Easter and Christmas. 

“We teach to the Virginia Standards of Learning at each age level and even in our infant classroom using weekly themes and Bible lessons,” Pittman said. “The High Street and Grace Memorial sites offer before- and after-school care for school-age children and a summer camp program also. Our pastors provide weekly chapel lessons for all students.”

Reflecting on her Grace’s Little Angels nonprofit, Pittman said, “I am so appreciative of the High Street and Grace Memorial Church to have made this vision and mission become a reality.”

To learn more about Grace’s Little Angels Preschool and Childcare, visit www.facebook.com/GracesLittleAngelsPreschool or www.GracesLittleAngels.com or call 757-571-0010.