10 things to know about Virginia Tech child care resources in 2024
It’s often said that “it takes a village to raise a child.” Since 2021, Virginia Tech’s Early Childhood Education Initiatives has been expanding child care resources in order to grow that village for faculty, staff, students, and community members.
Here are the 10 things to know about the Early Childhood Education Initiatives’ work:
1. Virginia Tech partners with five locally owned child care centers.
To meet the growing demand for high-quality, affordable child care services, Virginia Tech has developed partnerships with child care programs in the New River Valley and Roanoke, four of which are new for 2023-24.
- Champion Early Learning Center in Roanoke
- Children’s Nest in Blacksburg
- Giles Health & Family Center in Pearisburg
- Rainbow Riders in Blacksburg
- Valley Interfaith Child Care Center in Blacksburg
These licensed programs go through a review process led by Early Childhood Education Initiatives to ensure high-quality education standards and receive yearly support to assist sustained education programming. Those interested can contact these partners to learn about their enrollment protocol.
2. Regional summer camps are posted yearly.
Summer camps are a fun way to give children the chance to develop lifelong skills and friendships. Early Childhood Education Initiatives has compiled lists of summer camps available for children and teenagers this year at Virginia Tech, in the New River Valley, and in Roanoke. Check the “summer camps” tab under General Campus Resources for updated lists.
3. Find lactation spaces and diaper changing tables using the interactive campus map.
You can locate lactation spaces and diaper changing tables using Virginia Tech’s interactive campus map. To see these locations highlighted, click the “Layer List” on the side panel and check the box beside “Lactation Spaces” and “Baby Changing Tables.” Information on requesting lactation room access can be found on the Hokie Wellness Lactation Support page.
4. Virginia Tech employee have exclusive discounts toward au pairs and back-up care.
If you are looking for child care and are interested in the cultural experience offered by hosting an au pair, then Cultural Care Au Pair may be for you. This service pairs host families with au pairs who have child care experience, CPR, and first aid certification. Employees receive a discount as new families to the service. Learn more about Cultural Care Au Pair at caregiving.vt.edu or watch the recorded information session.
Employees have unlimited, premium access to the Care.com network. You can book short- and long-term care with providers experienced in assisting children and adults.
5. Your college might reimburse you for child care when traveling for work.
The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost is piloting the Dependent Care Travel Grant Program, which reimburses faculty as much as $1,000 per academic year toward additional dependent care-related expenses incurred while traveling for work. Contact the dean’s office of your college for more information about the availability of the program.
6. You can learn about caregiving topics through monthly webinars.
Early Childhood Education Initiatives collaborates with regional partners to offer monthly lunch-and-learns on topics ranging from finding the right child care program to child development and learning to raising a child with a disability. You can register for upcoming seminars and watch recordings from past programs.
7. There’s a community of caregivers at Virginia Tech.
Join the Working Parents at VT Facebook page to share resources with other Virginia Tech working parents and caregivers as well as stay up-to-date on resources available to faculty, staff, and students.
8. Your colleagues are available to answer your questions at office hours.
Employees can schedule confidential, no-cost appointments with Virginia Tech colleagues to ask about their experiences as parents while employed by the university. These virtual sessions are scheduled in 30-minute blocks and are open to anyone with children or expecting children. Topics can include caregiving benefits, leave, financial support, work-life policies, and exploring other resources that may be available to parents.
9. Early Childhood Education Initiatives is working with community partners to support, advocate for, and grow Virginia’s early childhood education workforce.
Access to affordable child care is an essential resource for communities — but child care programs need support to ensure they can deliver high-quality care now and in years to come. That’s why Early Childhood Education Initiatives works with local partners to create opportunities to develop the local early childhood workforce and advocate for its future:
- The NRV Regional Childcare Summit Series connects local leaders in government, business, and child care to one another, and educates on issues affecting the child care industry.
- At the Igniting Connections Early Childhood Symposium, early childhood educators from across the New River and Roanoke valleys receive a free day of professional, hands-on development.
- Outreach events in local high schools allow students interested in early childhood education to learn more about the field.
10. Keep an eye out for more developments in the next fiscal year.
Based on the results of last fall’s Childcare Needs Survey, plans are underway to support caregivers through expanded access to quality early care and education programs, implement more outreach programs to support employees, and strengthen community partnerships.
Learn more about Early Childhood Education Initiatives and caregiving resources at caregiving.vt.edu.
