LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Some of Louisville’s youngest learners will have a new school to go to in two years. Jefferson County Public Schools on Wednesday announced the groundbreaking for a new early childhood center.

The facility is being built on property next to Watterson Elementary and will have 23 classrooms for up to 460 students between the ages of 3 and 4. The center is expected to open in Aug. 2026. 

An artist rendering of a new Jefferson County Public Schools early childhood center slated to open in Aug. 2026. (Jefferson County Public Schools)

“This is another big step toward giving more of our students, including our youngest ones, modern facilities in which to learn and grow,” said Marty Pollio, JCPS superintendent. “It will also bring 23 early childhood teachers under the same roof where it’s easier to collaborate and share strategies for teaching our neediest pre-K students.”

JCPS said the construction of the center fits with a long-standing goal of consolidating early childhood classrooms into what it calls “purpose-designed facilities that provide enriching environments” for the district’s youngest learners. The new center will bring early childhood classrooms across several elementary schools together into one space, freeing up room for more students in those schools. It will also help with transportation, coordination of student services and collaboration among teachers.

“Early childhood serves as the cornerstone of academic success,” said Carlisa Gibson, executive director of early childhood at JCPS. “Focused on nurturing growth and preparing for kindergarten, this center will create an enriching environment where children can thrive, explore, and develop vital skills for lifelong learning.” 

The new early childhood center is being constructed on the same property as Watterson Elementary School, near a filled-in Jefferson County public swimming pool. The facilitly is expected to cost over $19 million and measure in at 49,300 square feet.

It will also have:

• 23 windowed classrooms in three wings
• High thermal resistant insulated concrete forms (ICF), energy efficient windows and energy efficient roof 
• Geothermal heating/cooling system
• Energy efficient LED lights 
• Inclusive playgrounds

At the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year, JCPS Early Childhood program had more than 2,600 students in 33 locations.