How it all began

The Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA) was established in December 1998 to create a child care center at Belmont Park which has the largest population of backstretch workers of the three New York Racing Association, Inc. tracks. The BCCA set about building a center, selecting a licensed child care provider, and spearheading fundraising to support the continued operation of the center.

Anna House, the centerpiece of BCCA's efforts, commenced construction in 2001 by Board Chairman Michael Dubb and named for the then two-year-old daughter of major donor Eugene Melnyk. Anna House opened its doors on January 1, 2002 thanks to the support of the Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc. The adjacent playground area is named for Lemon Drop Kid, the 1999 Belmont Stakes winner owned by donors Jeanne Vance and Laddie Dance.

In December 2006, Gretchen and Roy Jackson created the Lael Scholarship Fund to ensure that Anna House would always have sufficient funds to continue to provide early childhood education to the children. The Jacksons make a generous annual contribution to the fund.

Two expansions were added to Anna House in 2010, donated again by original builder Michael Dubb, to further serve the families of the backstretch. These improvements and the continued generosity of our supporters has allowed for the expansion of our programs. In 2014 we were able to begin offering after school care.

Since Anna House opened its doors, over 1,000 students have participated in the program.

Faith’s House joined the BCCA family in 2021. Thanks to the generosity of Michael and Lee Dubb, BCCA fulfilled its dream of providing a state-of-the-art early childhood education program year round at Anna House at Belmont Park and during the summer race meet at Saratoga Race Course.

leaRNING & CURRICULUM

At Bright Horizons, we know childhood is a treasured time. We believe it is our responsibility to provide environments and experiences that capture the joys of childhood, nurture each child’s individual growth and development, and pave the way for success in school and life.

As Bright Horizon educators, we promise to …

  • Nurture and care for the whole child

  • Craft and integrated curriculum based on expert research

  • Support and develop each teacher

  • Implement an emergent, inquiry-based approach to learning

  • Cultivate curiosity and creativity through projects, exploration, and play

  • Encourage children to be confident experimenters and problem solvers

  • Build an inclusive and respectful community

  • Create joyful places for childhood

Honoring the Memory of Olivia Marie Saylor

BCCA is proud to name our elementary and middle school after school tutoring program in memory of Olivia Marie Saylor who died on January 1, 2011 in Charleston, SC. Olivia was involved in the Thoroughbred racing industry along with her father, Paul Saylor, and her siblings. 

"Participation in BCCA's after school program is great way to continue to express Olivia's love for New York racing and the people who make it happen," noted Paul Saylor.