Fort Hill Child Development Center

Fort Hill Child Development Center was established in 1989 by owner and director, Jean Hawks. Jean was a single mom at the time, raising three teenagers. She decided to use her knowledge and talents to create a family oriented child care center that supported her community. Her passion for young children, and determination to provide for her family, helped her create one of the best, and most recognized child care centers in the state. The child development center was originally Fort Hill Elementary school which Jean attended when she was a child. Jean’s daughter, and Co-Director, Jamie Gaeger, has worked beside her mother for over 25 years, as a teacher, summer camp director, NAEYC accreditation administrator, Director, and business manager. Jean was a WV STARS trainer for over 20 years, taught young teachers and Directors in the ACDS class, has served on the WV Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse, the Chamber Education Committe, Charleston Women’s Forum, is currently on the board for the Appalachian Children’s Choir, and was the Presidential appointed delegate to the White House conference on Small Business in 1995.