Finding Childcare
Types of Early Care and Education Providers
High-quality early childhood care and education has a significant impact on the lives of children and their families. High-quality experiences for children from birth to five should include enriching activities in developmentally appropriate environments, while also providing families with necessary resources and support.
Virginia has many quality options for early childhood care and education for children aged birth-to-five:
- Child Care Center A facility that cares for children outside of a residence to provide supervision, protection and well-being of a child under the age of 13.
- Family Day Home Family day is offered in the home of the provider and is the most common form of child care in this country, especially for younger children. Parents may choose family child care for its intimate, home-like setting, flexible hours, consistency of caregiver, and small group size.
- Wrap-Around Care This is care offered to children when their school is closed which includes before and after school care, holidays and summer.
- Head Start Head Start and Early Head Start are federal programs that promote school readiness for children birth to age five. Head Start is a child-centered, family focused, comprehensive and community-based program providing high quality services to promote academic, physical, social and emotional development for income-eligible children and their families
- Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) VPI is a program that distributes state funds to schools and community-based organizations to provide high-quality preschool programs for at-risk four-year-olds not served by Head Start. The purpose of the program is to reduce disparities among children entering kindergarten and to reduce or eliminate those risk factors that may lead to early academic failure.
Understanding Child Care in Virginia Course
This informational course is designed for families in Virginia who are interested in learning more about the importance of quality child care and how to find it.
Finding Child Care
Choosing the right early childcare and education option can be overwhelming, but there are plenty of resources to assist you.
Choosing Child Care Guide
Child Care Aware of Virginia's detailed guide helps families choose quality care to fit the needs of their child and family.
Starting your Child Care Search
Whether you’re a new parent, recently moved to the area, or simply looking to explore your options, finding quality child care is an important decision. The first step in your search is to get a list of child care providers in your area. Once you have your referral list, it’s time to narrow it down and find the best fit for your family.
Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) plays a crucial role in overseeing and collecting data related to child care in Virginia. This includes information on licensing, quality ratings, enrollment statistics, and compliance with state regulations. Through its efforts, the VDOE aims to ensure that children in Virginia have access to safe, nurturing, and high-quality learning environments. Families of young children in Virginia can use the VDOE’s new online portal to learn about the early childhood education options in their area.
Child Care Aware of Virginia
Child Care Aware of Virginia assists families with their child care search by providing free customized referrals to early care programs by phone by calling 1-866-KIDSTLC or on line in any language. You can talk with a specialist to help you understand your child care options and learn how to choose a program that meets your needs. If you would like personal assistance in finding child care, click the "Learn More" button.
Child Care VA
Child Care VA is a resource supported by the Virginia Department of Education. The “Search for Child Care” webtool provides facility information and inspection reports for licensed and religiously exempt child care centers, licensed and voluntarily registered family day homes, and certified pre-schools.
Paying for Child Care
The cost of childcare can be a significant burden on families, with the age of the child and geographical location impacting those costs. For families with multiple children, the expenses can add up quickly. The Child Care Subsidy Program assists families in paying child care costs.
Head Start
Head Start is a national, federally funded program that provides free, quality, comprehensive services to eligible pre-school children and their families. This care is school day and scoool year. Click the link below for TB5’s guide to Pre-K Application Information, organized by locality.
Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI)
VPI is a state-funded program that provides free, high-quality preschool programs for eligible four-year-olds not served by Head Start. This care is school day and school year Please reach out to your local school division for more information about VPI.
Department of Social Services: Subsidy
Child Care Subsidy is a payment from the federal or state government to help families with the cost of child care.
Mixed Delivery
Virginia Early Childhood Foundation’s Mixed Delivery program provides publicly funded ECCE services in licensed (non-faith based), private ECCE settings for eligible children.
This state-funded program helps eligible families with the cost of child care in a private early child care setting. Families apply through the provider for full day/full year care.
City of Richmond Early Childhood Care & Education Trust Fund
The City of Richmond has made an historic investment to help eligible families with the cost of child care in a private early child care setting for full day/full year care.
Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Grant
The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. The grant supports low-income parents who are pursuing postsecondary education. This grant will provide student-parents with funds to pay for childcare so they may focus their energy on graduating. In addition, student-parents will receive a litany of services to ensure their educational success. Check with your college for availability.
Department of Defense Subsidy
The Department of Defense Subsidy can help pay for the cost of care for those on active military duty
Get In Touch
Connect with Thrive Birth to Five to learn more.
