Child Care Resources

Virginia Tech piloted backup child care services with Care.com beginning in November 2022. After reviewing the pilot’s results and listening to feedback from faculty and staff, it was clear the service was not meeting Virginia Tech’s needs. As of Nov. 1, 2023, Virginia Tech will no longer offer Care.com as a benefit to employees. Reimbursement requests for backup care that happened on or before Oct. 31, 2023, can be submitted to Care.com until Nov. 30, 2023. If you have questions about Care.com, contact their Member Care team at careteam@care.com.

The advisory working group is currently piloting a new support program, Early Childhood Education (ECE) Initiatives Office Hours, for university employees. This is a confidential, no-cost, elective opportunity to ask questions of fellow Virginia Tech colleagues about their experiences as parents while employed by the university.

Virtual sessions are scheduled in 30-minute blocks and specific ECE Initiatives working group members will be assigned based on their experiences and availability for office hour sessions. Employees who are expecting or currently have children are invited to participate including mothers, fathers, non-birth mothers, foster, and adoptive parents. Discussion topics could include caregiving benefits, leave, financial support, work-life policies, as well as sharing resources available to parents. Office hours also allow unique and specific inquiries to be addressed. 

To schedule an office hours appointment, complete the digital form and a representative will follow up with you within five business days. 

Child Development Center for Learning and Research (CDCLR): Provides a model preschool program and leadership for local, state, and national early childhood communities in teaching, learning, and research as well as to address the service missions of the university.

Faculty Work-Life Policies: The university has developed policies to assist faculty with the challenges of balancing professional and personal life.

Hokie Wellness Child Care: As part of our commitment to help Virginia Tech employees find balance between work and personal responsibilities, Hokie Wellness provides information on child care options available locally.

Virginia Tech Interactive Map: There are many spaces across campus with lactation rooms and baby changing tables available. To see these locations highlighted on the campus map, click the "Layer List" on the side panel and check the box beside "Lactation Spaces" and "Baby Changing Tables".

Little Hokie^TM Hangout: A flexible, subsidized care program primarily for graduate student families. This program is designed to meet your specific needs, and is a parent-cooperative child care program open to Virginia Tech students and employees (faculty and staff pay an increased rate) for children ages 2-5.

Parent Support Group: Graduate students who are juggling family and their academic work meet monthly to discuss issues, connect with other parents, and enjoy a meal together.

Women's Center: The Women’s Center is keenly aware of the disproportionate impact caregiving has on women and wants to provide support to all caregivers. We are working in collaboration with other Virginia Tech offices to advocate for student, faculty, and staff caregivers needs.

Work-Life Liasons: Work-Life Liaisons support the faculty recruitment efforts in each college by meeting individually with candidates to discuss Virginia Tech’s dual career program, extend-the-tenure-clock policies, modified duties polices, commitment to diversity, community resources, and to refer candidates to appropriate resources for additional information.

Work-Life Resources: Work-Life Resources help individuals and departments effectively manage personal, family, and community life with work. Whether you are having a baby, helping your aging parent, or working with your supervisor to establish a flexible work schedule, Work-Life Resources can provide information and resources to point you toward success.

NRV Child Care Partnerships: To meet the growing demand for high-quality, affordable childcare services for the children of university faculty, staff and students, Virginia Tech entered into an agreement with area childcare programs.

CDA Council: The Council for Professional Recognition promotes improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education of children ages birth to 5 years old.

Child Care Aware of Western Virginia improves child care in Virginia by developing the child care workforce, maintaining comprehensive child care data, empowering families through education, and advocating for Virginia’s children.

Family Services

Child Care Referrals & Consumer Education - We empower and equip parents with the information and knowledge to make informed decisions about their child care situation through our Referral and Consumer Education program. We provide FREE customized referrals to programs in their area via our 1-866-KIDS TLC hotline and online at vachildcare.com, as well as information about child care options and how to choose safe, quality care.

Provider Services

Professional Development - We offer access to professional training opportunities including FREE First Aid/CPR, Trauma Informed Care Part I & II, Strengthening Business Practices or Centers and Family Day Homes, Emergency Preparedness and Subsidy Orientations. View and register for professional development opportunities via the CCAoVA Training Calendar.

Technical Assistance - We offer FREE consultation services to child care providers via telephone, online, onsite, or via printed resources. This includes guidance on topics such as child development, child care regulations, quality enhancement, safety planning, family engagement, nutrition, accreditation, business management, the application process for the Child Care Subsidy Program and more. Our supports are provided to existing child care programs and can assist those interested in learning more about the steps to become state licensed centers or family day homes, voluntary registered or religious exempt centers.

Community Services

Community Outreach & Advocacy - We participate in community events and visit organizations to increase awareness of the importance of quality child care. We facilitate advocacy opportunities and promote legislation to improve the lives of children and families, and the quality of care available in Virginia.

Contact 

For additional information, reach out to Margaret Hurst, Child Care Aware Western VA Regional Manager, at margaret@vachildcare.com.

Community Foundation: Established in 2016, First Steps is a network of agencies and individuals working to support young children and families in the New River Valley. 

Giles Focus Network: The Livability Initiative began as a three-year regional planning process, which provided an opportunity for New River Valley residents to develop a vision for the future and develop strategies that businesses, community organizations, local governments, and individuals can use to make this future vision a reality.

VAAEYC serves Virginia early educators with local public policy support, accreditation support, professional development, and connections.

• NRV VAAEYC (local)
• VA AEYC (state)

New River Creative Reuse Center: Using the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) to provide FREE resources to local teachers and nonprofit organizations!

NRCC ECE: The Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development is designed to prepare highly-skilled graduates for employment in a variety of early childhood settings, to update and enrich the capacities of those persons presently employed in the child development field, and to prepare students for transfer to a bachelor degree program in child development, education, or related field.

NRV Cares: NRV CARES services are available to all citizens living in the Virginia counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski and the City of Radford. NRV CARES, with the help of the New River Valley community, strives to improve the lives of the smallest and most defenseless members of our society, while helping to support an environment where families can thrive.

Child Care Resource & Referral: Looking for child care? There are over 400 local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies across the United States. Your local CCR&R can help families find child care options near your home or work. 

VA Voices: Voices for Virginia’s Children is the commonwealth’s only independent, multi-issue child policy and advocacy organization.