KNOXVILLE, TN – January 5, 2026 – The Children’s Center of Knoxville (CCK) is thrilled to announce its 50th Anniversary serving Knoxville families with high-quality early childhood education. Opening its doors to its first class January 5, 1976, the nonprofit preschool has dedicated half a century to providing a nurturing, enriching, and developmentally focused environment for young children across all socioeconomic backgrounds.
A Long History of Dedication and Quality
CCK began with a shared goal of a group of Knoxville-area professionals: finding quality childcare that would enrich the quality of life and promote the development of their babies and young children. This vision gave rise to Knoxville Early Child Development Center, Inc., which initially served 55 children ranging in age from 2 months to 3 years.
Today, operating as The Children’s Center of Knoxville, the founding mission remains strong: to serve as a nonprofit preschool committed to providing exceptional care and fostering a strong foundation for lifelong learning in a supportive, high-quality educational environment. The preschool now serves 96 children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 5 years.
Looking Ahead: Launching An Anniversary Campaign
To celebrate this significant milestone and ensure CCK can continue to serve our community for the next 50 years, The Children’s Center of Knoxville is officially launching its 50th Anniversary Campaign, with a goal of raising $500,000 over the course of the year.
There will be a variety of opportunities to support the school throughout the year, but the main event will be a Through the Decades celebration in September that will include a silent auction, sponsorship opportunities, and more.
Funds raised during this campaign will be dedicated to facility updates and enhancements, including a new outdoor classroom, updated playground equipment, and facility modernization.
The Children’s Center of Knoxville invites alumni, current families, local businesses, and the community to join the celebration in support of CCK. Donations can be made online at thechildrenscenterofknoxville.org or by contacting Executive Director Kristen Cannon at 865-523-2672.
ABOUT CHILDREN’S CENTER OF KNOXVILLE
The Children’s Center of Knoxville, Inc., is a 501C(3) non-profit childcare center located in the heart of Knoxville, TN. Since 1976, our mission has been to serve the community at large with open arms and provide exceptional childcare while preparing each child to be their unique selves. Each year we serve approximately 100 families while upholding our mission to ensure that at least 30 percent or more of our enrollment supports low-income and at-risk families. Learn more and get involved at thechildrenscenterofknoxville.org.