Our history
Rainbow Child Development Center – Celebrating 42 Years
As with many small businesses, there is always a meaningful story behind how it all began. Rainbow Child Development Center was founded in 1984 by Timothy and Eileen Hanley, whose vision continues to guide us today.
Their goal was not simply to open a childcare center, but to create an educational environment for preschool and school-age children. At a time when many programs focused primarily on babysitting, the Hanleys believed children should be learning, growing, and developing every day. That belief became the foundation of everything Rainbow stands for.
From the very beginning, Rainbow has been a family-run business. The Hanleys’ three daughters, Maureen, Doreen, and Christine, worked alongside their parents, helping after school while Timothy and Eileen managed the center full time. Over the years, they pursued education, training, and workshops to ensure the program continued to grow and succeed.
The first location opened in Fairfax, on the corner of what is now Fairfax County Parkway and Route 50, in a former church building, serving about 20 children. A second location followed in Reston, growing to approximately 40 students.
As more families moved west, the Hanleys recognized the need for another center. In 1991, they opened the Centreville location, the building that resembles a house. In January 1995, the Infant/Toddler building was added. The Centreville property, including five wooded acres, was purchased by the Hanleys after years of dedication and effort to gain approval from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Today, Rainbow Child Development Center remains a hands-on, family-run program with a dedicated team, many of whom have been part of the center for decades. Doreen Hanley Bicoy serves as Director, alongside Assistant Director Laurie Franco, who has been with Rainbow since 1991.
Eileen cherished visits from former students, many now grown, married, and starting families of their own, who fondly remember their time at Rainbow. It brings her joy seeing the lasting impact of the community she helped build. Now several former students bring their own children to Rainbow CDC.
The Hanley family’s journey is one of dedication, love, and commitment to children and families.
As we celebrate 42 years in 2026, we honor their legacy and look forward to the future, perhaps with the next generation carrying on the vision and dream that began so many years ago.
