News & Press
Infant Care Program Expansion
Rhinebeck, NY — February 25, 2026
Northern Dutchess Day Care Center Announces Expansion of Services with New Infant Care Program, Adding 8 Infant Care Slots Amid Regional Shortage
RHINEBECK, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 25, 2026 — Northern Dutchess Day Care Center (NDDCC), the longest-operating preschool and only nonprofit early childhood center in the Rhinebeck area, today announced the upcoming opening of its first-ever infant care program. The expansion will allow NDDCC to serve children ages six to seventeen months, marking a major milestone in the center’s more than 50-year history.
The full-time care program will open in early April 2026 with space for eight infants. Families can expect the same high-quality, nurturing environment that has defined NDDCC for decades, grounded in Montessori-inspired, nature-based learning.
At the heart of this expansion is NDDCC Executive Director Priscilla Gideon, whose leadership has guided the organization through two major transitions: achieving full operational independence in July 2025, and now expanding to meet a critical community need for accessible, high-quality infant care.
“As a local resident for the past 38 years, community connections run deep for me,” said Gideon. “Having raised my four children in Rhinebeck, my commitment to this community drove me to keep NDDCC open, independent, and flourishing with a unique nature-based preschool program. That same dedication is what inspires this next step—welcoming our area’s littlest learners.”
“When we became an independent, parent-led nonprofit last year, we made a commitment to strengthen and protect access to childcare in our community,” said Samantha Tepper, Chair of the Board of Directors for NDDCC. “This infant classroom is a direct reflection of that commitment, and of the persistence and generosity of the families and partners who believe in what NDDCC makes possible.”
Addressing a Critical Need
According to a 2024 Patterns for Progress study and a Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Council report, Dutchess County is considered a childcare desert, where only one caregiver slot exists for every three children in need. Access to infant care specifically is an even more dire challenge.
NDDCC’s infant program expansion was supported in part by the Frost Memorial Fund, whose early investment helped bring the new infant classroom from concept to reality.
With child and infant care in such critically short supply, NDDCC is also working with Senator Michelle Hinchey’s office to pursue funding options aimed at supporting long-term program sustainability and stability.
“Expanding access to affordable, quality child care in our region is a top priority, and Northern Dutchess Day Care is doing incredible work to fulfill that vital need for working parents,” said Senator Michelle Hinchey. “I’m glad to work with NDDCC to find solutions that will help them expand their services locally and make child care available to more families across our community.”
Community-Backed Transformation
As that work advances, NDDCC is turning to the community to help complete the final phase of its infant classroom expansion. While construction and core infrastructure are finalized, critical furnishings—such as cribs, mattresses, and high chairs—must be funded and secured in the weeks ahead. These essential items represent the final investment needed to prepare the room for its youngest learners.
“Now, we’re inviting our community to help us finish strong,” said Gideon. “When you sponsor a crib or make a donation, you’re directly supporting a safe, nurturing start for local infants and their families.”
To ensure the classroom is fully furnished in time for its April opening, donors can contribute to the infant classroom with cash donations or by visiting NDDCC’s gifting registry, where specific infant items like toys and furniture can be purchased.
“As a nonprofit, donations are essential,” Gideon explained. “We couldn’t have made it this far in the expansion without the generosity of local foundations, businesses, and community members. This is truly a collective effort, and every contribution matters.”
Program Vision
The new infant classroom expands NDDCC’s mission of nurturing the whole child through a relationship-based, community-centered approach to early education. In a small, thoughtfully designed environment led by experienced early childhood educators, the program will maintain low teacher-to-infant ratios and prioritize responsive caregiving, individualized routines, and close partnership with families.
Infants will engage in sensory-rich exploration, early language exposure, music, and daily outdoor experiences adapted to their developmental stage—reflecting the same values of curiosity, connection, and respect that define NDDCC’s established nature-based classrooms.
Looking ahead, the infant classroom will also serve as the foundation for what may become a school-wide ESL/Spanish immersion initiative.
“As both a parent and a teacher, I’ve seen a growing social disconnect between children whose first language is Spanish and those who speak English,” Gideon said. “One of my long-term goals is to bridge that language and cultural divide through a bilingual program that benefits all children.”
Parents interested in enrolling an infant in the new program can complete an enrollment interest form available on NDDCC’s website.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Priscilla Gideon, Executive Director; Jim Hackett, Project Lead for ALLT Construction; Corryn Carey, Board Member
Construction Team
The design and construction of the infant classroom was led by NDDCC Board Member Corryn Carey, a mother of a child currently attending NDDCC.
“When I moved back upstate as a single mom working full-time with two daughters, finding reliable infant care was incredibly difficult,” said Carey. “When NDDCC became independent, I encouraged Priscilla to expand services for infants because there is such a significant gap in care for this age group.”
The project required demolition of the existing kitchen to create an open infant classroom designed to meet all applicable building and safety codes. Renovations included new flooring, electrical, plumbing, cabinetry, and finishes, resulting in a warm, light-filled, and welcoming environment for babies and caregivers.
Construction commenced in November 2025 and was led by local architect Warren Smith and local contractor ALLT Construction.
About Northern Dutchess Day Care Center
Founded in 1970, NDDCC has been at the heart of the Rhinebeck community for over five decades. Many generations of children have passed through its doors, nurtured by a philosophy that emphasizes independence, creativity, and connection to the natural world. With its Seedlings, Saplings, Forest Friends, and now Sprouts programs, NDDCC is the only nonprofit early childhood center in the Rhinebeck area and continues to be driven by a deep belief in accessible, high-quality care for all. NDDCC is governed by a parent-led board of directors and has operated as an independent nonprofit organization since July 2025.
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