Equally Created, the Nashville nonprofit that runs community-focused early-learning centers, is set to double its footprint. Two new sites in The Nations and Clifton are scheduled to open this fall, adding roughly 220 childcare slots - about 140 in Clifton and 80 inside the Nations development - and expanding the organization's sliding-scale, scholarship-based model for families who cannot afford market rates.
What they're building
According to Equally Created, the two new centers will open in fall 2026: a Clifton Avenue campus designed for 140 children and a Nations site that will serve about 80 kids. The Nation's location sits in the Modera Nations complex at 1701 54th Ave N, per LoopNet.
Community reaction
Leslie Hanson, Equally Created's founder and executive director, told reporters "We know that 90% of brain development happens before age five" in comments reported by City Now Next. Melanie Shinbaum of the Nashville Early Education Coalition called the additional slots "opportunity, dignity, and support" for families, the outlet added.
Why it matters
Nashville faces a severe supply gap that pushes families onto long waitlists and into unaffordable care. Equally Created notes there are roughly 69,000 children under five but only about 34,497 childcare seats in Davidson County, with infant care costing more than in‑state college tuition and waitlists stretching 12–24 months.
Funding and partners
City Now Next reports the expansion has financial backing from BrightBridge Capital, Regions, the Dettwiller Foundation, and The Lewis Family Fund, and that the project team includes DWC, Smith Gee Studios and Thomas & Hutton. The group says fundraising will keep construction on schedule for a fall opening while keeping slots available through sliding tuition and scholarships.
How families can sign up
Equally Created is accepting waitlist applications on its website and encourages families to join early, given already-long waitlists across the city. Prospective families can also connect with local early-education partners and coalitions for enrollment help and updates.
