NRV Childcare Summit Series Update - Fall 2024
The NRV Child Care Summit Series is your opportunity to learn about the state of early childhood education (ECE) in the New River Valley.
If you want to learn more about the Summit Series or ways you can help strengthen child care in the region, contact Kim Thomason (kimbe74@vt.edu) and Jessica Wirgau (jessicawirgau@cfnrv.org).
Your Input Needed
What are your hopes for the summit series?
Let us know how we can plan our 2025 summit to best meet your needs and goals.
Looking Ahead
Join us for First Steps' in-person meeting
First Steps’ working groups are coming together for a combined in-person gathering to reflect on successes from the year and opportunities for 2025. Whether you are new or a seasoned participant, join us to learn about our work.
When: Wednesday, December 11th from 1-2:30pm
Where: YMCA Event Center in Blacksburg.
In Case You Missed It
Growing future early educators
The 2nd annual NRCC ECE Career Day on October 22 brought 66 local high school students together to learn about career opportunities in early education. A collaboration between NRCC, ECEI at Virginia Tech, and First Steps, the event had local experts answer questions about the industry and lead hands-on activities exploring this year’s theme of “Academics and Play.”
Leading childhood educators and supporters recognized
Virginia Tech's Igniting Connections Symposium, held in August, gave early educators a day of free professional development. The event began with the Early Childhood Champions Award, sponsored by First Steps, which spotlighted the NRV’s champions for children and their families.
“Meet Yourself” events are back!
First Steps’ popular Meet Yourself events returned in November, allowing families to learn about local services to help with housing, food insecurity, and mental and emotional health issues. These quarterly events are open to anyone interested in learning about the ongoing work to support children and families in the NRV.
How do you share caregiving resources with employees?
In an effort to better connect employees with resources, Virginia Tech recently redesigned its caregiving website to streamline the process of finding information and programming.
New initiative addresses regional challenges and opportunities
Partnership for Progress brings leaders from the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Montgomery County, the New River Valley Regional Commission, and Virginia Tech together to solve regional concerns, including child care. A survey for community input is underway.
ARPA Update
Through ARPA funding from the Town of Blacksburg, First Steps has helped to stabilize 11 child care programs with individualized strategies towards recruitment, retention, or professional development.
Now in Phase III, directors have used their funds to award recruitment bonuses, attend conferences, and energize workplace culture. The past year saw enrollment increases and staffing stabilization across most programs, though recruitment for early educators continues to be the greatest challenge.
Harmon Learning Center Opens at Calfee
The historic school for African American children in Pulaski has completed its first-phase renovation and opened on December 2 with three classrooms for infants, toddlers, and pre-K children on. Over the last several years, Calfee alumni and community members have come together to transform the former school building into a vibrant community center, honoring its legacy while meeting current community needs, including expended access to childcare.