Constructed in 2017 and expanded in 2020, the Neal Early Learning Center provides care and education for children ages birth to five. The center was born from a vision to provide care and education for children ages birth to five in Morrow County. It was an aspiration shared by Morrow County leadership, Morrow County School District, Port of Morrow, InterMountain ESD (IMESD), Blue Mountain Community College, and Umatilla-Morrow Head Start.
The center is named in honor of Gary and Kathy Neal and reflects their commitment to serving the youth of Morrow County. Kathy Neal served 17 years on the InterMountain Education Service District Board of Directors. Gary Neal was the general manager at the Port of Morrow from 1989 until his retirement in 2018.
Programs operating at the center include:
- Head Start/Oregon Pre-Kindergarten program - 541.481.3254
- IMESD Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program - 541.966.3121
- Little Pirates Morrow County School District preschool
- Families First Day Care Center - 541.945.7001