Child Care
I'm looking for...
New River Valley Based Child Care Partnerships
To meet the growing demand for high-quality, affordable child care services for the children of university faculty, staff, and students that live in the New River Valley area, Virginia Tech entered into an agreement with four local child care programs. Parents who need early care and education are encouraged to contact our child care partners and follow their specific enrollment protocols. The following four child care partners will offer enrollment opportunities directly to Virginia Tech families based on the date enrollment information is finalized and documented by your child care program of choice.
Children’s Nest
1155 Draper Road SW Blacksburg (540-953-3945)
Giles Health & Family Center
701 Wenonah Avenue, Pearisburg (540-921-3024)
Rainbow Riders
307 N. Knollwood Drive, Blacksburg (540-951-3636)
Valley Interfaith Child Care Center
950 Heather Drive, Blacksburg (540-951-8101)
Roanoke Based Child Care Partnership
Champion Early Learning Center
5342 Fallowater Lane, Roanoke (540-595-9010)
To meet the growing demand for high-quality, affordable child care services for the children of university faculty, staff, and students that live in the Roanoke area, Virginia Tech has partnered with Champion Early Learning Center in Roanoke. This child care center helps with infants and children aged from birth - 12 years 11 months. Parents who need early care and education are encouraged to contact the Learning Center and follow their specific enrollment protocols.
On Campus Preschool Program
Child Development Center for Learning and Research (CDCLR)
Located on campus, the CDCLR provides a nationally accredited preschool program for children aged infant - 5 years, as well as leadership for local, state, and national early childhood communities in teaching, learning, and research.
Child Care for Graduate Students
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.
Au Pairs
Virginia Tech has a relationship with Cultural Care Au Pair to offer another child care option for employees. Au pairs provide a cultural experience for families while helping working parents pursue their professional goals. Among the many benefits to having a live-in care provider: an au pair can help with drop-off and pick-up, coverage for sick days and snow days, and provide the opportunity for better work/life integration for parents. Virginia Tech employees receive a $575 discount* as a new family.
* Visit link above for terms and conditions
Directories of Early Care and School Age Care
Please visit these websites to find current child care availability at the local, state, and national level:
Birth to 5 Hub (Southwest Virginia)
Smart 2 Start (Roanoke area)
Child Care Aware of Virginia (Virginia)
Child Care Aware of America (national)
Out-of-School Child Care Programs
This spreadsheet lists NRV and Roanoke area out of school care programs for school-age children. You can also search for child care and find further information on each facility at Child Care VA.
Kids’ Night Out (KNO) Returns for the 22nd year!
KNO is a free childcare program that takes place weekly at the VT Women’s Center at 206 Washington Street. Every Thursday from 6:30-8pm sitters from the Chi Delta Alpha service sorority come to spend time with kids of VT students at the VT Women’s Center. We have toys, snacks, crafts, and games, and sometimes a movie!
Children from 2-10 are welcomed (must be toilet trained) and advance sign up is required. The link to sign up is published through the Graduate School newsletter or is available on the Women’s Center website each Monday afternoon.
Please use this opportunity to take a break, have a quite evening, or get some studying done. Contact Jessie Meltsner at jmelts@vt.edu with any questions.
Backup Care Directories
Virginia Tech full-time faculty/staff and non-student wage employees across all locations have unlimited, premium access to the Care.com network for finding child care, adult care, pet care, housekeeping, and tutoring. You can book short- and long-term care, with a wide range of provider types including those with experience assisting children and adults with special needs.
Summer Camps
There are many summer camp options offered at Virginia Tech’s main campus in Blacksburg as well as throughout the New River Valley and the Roanoke area that give children the chance to develop lifelong skills and friendships.
Virginia Tech Summer Camps 2024
One-on-One Virtual Discussions
Early Childhood Education Initiatives (ECEI) Office Hours
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 ECEI 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 parents, 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 a digital form by clicking on the link above and a representative will follow up with you within five business days.
Hand-Me-Down Event
A Virginia Tech tradition, the Little Hokie™ Hand-Me-Down event brings together faculty, staff, and students who either wish to give away or to receive gently used goods for their babies and children.
Parenting Workshops and Support Group
NRV CARES offers courses in Parenting Young Children and Parenting Through Separation and Divorce. They also facilitate Circle of Parents, a free weekly support group that gives parents the opportunity to share in each other’s challenges and successes. Services are available to all citizens living in the Virginia counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski and the City of Radford.
Working Parents Newsletter
The Women’s Center is keenly aware of the disproportionate impact caregiving has on women and wants to provide support to all caregivers. Visit the link above for information on resources including the Working Parents Listserv.
Working Parents Facebook Group
Working Parents at VT Facebook Group
Stay updated on Early Childhood Education Initiatives (ECEI) and join an online community of other working parents at Virginia Tech.
Resources for Children with Disabilities and Their Families
View a list of resources for children with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
Tools to Help Choose a Child Care Program
Child Care Program Information and Tools
We have put together a list of resources for families to help choose a quality early care or school age care program that is right for you.
Tools to Help Pay for Child Care
Child Care Financial Assistance Tools
Virginia Tech employees and students may be eligible for one or more of these programs to assist with the cost of child care.
Virginia Tech Caregiving Policies
All Virginia Tech policies are available on the policy website. Following are specific university and state policies that reference caregiving, including child and adult care:
Virginia Tech policies:
University Policy No. 4300: Hours of Work for University and Classified Staff
University Policy No. 4325: Alternate Work Site and Telework Policy
Virginia Department of Human Resource Management policies:
Faculty Work-Life Programs and Resources
Faculty Affairs: Work-Life Resources
The university has developed policies to assist faculty with the challenges of balancing professional and personal life.
Lactation Spaces and Changing Tables
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".
Information to request access to lactation rooms and other supporting information can be found on the Hokie Wellness Lactation Support page.
Featured
Office Hours
Early Childhood Education Initiatives Office Hours is a confidential, no-cost, elective opportunity for university employees to ask questions of fellow Virginia Tech colleagues about their experiences as parents while employed by the university.
Lunch & Learn Conversations
On the 4th Wednesday of the month, noon- 1p.m., Early Childhood Education Initiatives will host a "lunch & learn" on a variety of topics. These conversations will be facilitated in partnership with NRV CARES.
Parenting Strategies Lunch & Learn
The second session of this series will be on November 7, 12 - 1p.m. via Zoom and will cover information about prevention strategies parents can use to reduce behavior problems (e.g., tantrums, aggression, non-compliance) during times of transition, and to support independence in carrying out routines.
-
General Item
-
General Item
The list of resources, programs, and organizations, external and not affiliated with the university, are for informational purposes and are not endorsed by Virginia Tech. Please consult the necessary professionals, including medical and financial, to determine what is most suitable for your particular needs.
We value your feedback!
Please feel free to share questions, resource needs, concerns, etc. with us!