Early Childcare
Child Care resources
There are many childcare resources available in Central Virginia including public day cares and private sitters. A customized list of child-care providers that meet various schedules and needs is available to everyone in the region; the Child Care Link and Resource Center will provide referrals, child care training and consult with business concerning childcare policies.
Pre-Schools
Research has shown that children who participate in a pre-school program and have basic skills in place by the age of six, are more likely to succeed later in life. With this principle in place throughout Central Virginia, all of the local school systems have developed Kindergarten Readiness Skills that are common among all of the systems. The Success by 6 Coalition was formed in 2004 with a goal of reaching out to all parents of children ages 0-6 to provide them with the tools they need to be successful—BEFORE they enter kindergarten. There are many Success by 6 certified Child care providers in the region.
Montessori Education
Blue Ridge Montessori School located in Forest, Virginia, provides a safe and nurturing preschool and kindergarten learning environment for children ages two to six years old. Their holistic approach is individualized for each child. They teach them responsibility for each other and themselves. They focus on academics and creative thinking, while providing them with hands-on experiences.