Saint Mary Villa, Renewal House partner to build new childcare center in North Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A few shovels of dirt marked a ground-breaking move in Music City on Thursday for parents struggling to find affordable childcare in Nashville.

Saint Mary Villa, one of the city’s longest-serving childcare centers, has partnered with Renewal House to build a new 7,400 square-foot center on the Renewal House campus on Clarksville Pike.

The center will serve up to 75 children, infant to preschool. Up to 45 spaces are designated for children of Renewal House clients, which serves women recovering from substance use disorders.

“We are just pleased to be able to mix the children at Renewal House with other community children,” said Renewal House CEO Pamela Sessions. “It just works best when people from all different ages and races and backgrounds come together.”

The public-private partnership is the first of three centers to be built and operated by Saint Mary Villa with a $1.93 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Human Services. The center was founded in 1863 as Saint Mary Orphanage and has operated continuously in Nashville ever since.

Leaders are currently looking for future locations and interested partners.

At the 10 a.m. groundbreaking, Mayor Freddie O’Connell said Nashville families will spend more on childcare than they will on in-state college tuition.

Applications will open for a spot in the new Saint Mary Villa Child Development Center in April 2025.

To reach Saint Mary Villa about one of its two future expansion childcare sites, contact Alyssa at agarnett@stmaryvilla.org.

For more information on the state grant opportunity for collaboration with employers, go to tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/child-care-services/new-care-partnership-grants.html.

Renewal House will host its annual Thanksgiving Luncheon fundraiser on November 7, 2025, at the Omni Hotel. WSMV anchor Tracy Kornet will serve as emcee.

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