St. James’s Children’s Center, 1205 W. Franklin St., RVA 23220; 804-358-9788
Interview with Diahann Whittington, Executive Director, by Cristin McKnight
When children arrive at St. James’ Children’s Center each morning, members of the administrative team are waiting to greet them with friendly smiles and warm welcomes. This is a strong illustration of the program’s focus on making each child feel seen and valued.
According to St. James’s Children’s Center Executive Director Diahann Whittington, children need a victory every day. These victories, which can look like calming down after an emotional moment or transitioning smoothly between activities, lead to more confidence and better decision making. Mrs. Whittington puts a lot of focus on supporting her teachers so that children can achieve these victories and have their needs met.
During its 40 years, the licensed center in Richmond City has received services from many local and state funded initiatives that focused on continual quality improvement, such as Virginia Infant Toddler Specialist Network and the prior incarnation of Virginia Quality.
In addition to utilizing resources from Child Care Aware of Virginia, the program is currently receiving coaching support from ChildSavers through funding from Commonwealth Autism to build stronger classroom practices.
St. James’s Children’s Center also utilizes ChildSavers’ CDA program, where staff members are earning credentials in child development. Mrs. Whittington shared that the teachers who have earned their CDA credential present as more professional, confident, and knowledgeable, and their pride is visible in their interactions with colleagues and families. As best as schedules allow, the staff at St. James’s Children’s Center also attends training offered by ChildSavers to support professional development and growth as early care educators.
Mrs. Whittington and her team use a trauma-informed approach to support the children in their care. Children often come to school carrying stress, anxiety, or uncertainty, and the staff focuses on social-emotional development and well-being so that each child can thrive in their own way.
Building strong relationships with the families is another contribution to the program’s success. Mrs. Whittington has referred families to ChildSavers for mental health services through the years. She appreciates being able to verify the agency’s expertise as a beneficial resource to children in need.
St. James’s Children’s Center serves under 100 children, enrolling as young as two years old. In classrooms filled with encouragement, they remain committed to helping children build confidence, resilience, and a strong foundation for lifelong success.
