Your guide toearly care & learning in Central Virginia
Your guide to
early care & learning
in Central Virginia
WHY EARLY EDUCATION?
Children who participate in high-quality programs tend to have:
Higher scores on math and reading achievement tests
Higher high school graduation rates and higher levels of schooling attained
Improved nutrition and health
In the long run, these children are also more likely to:
Have higher employment and earnings as adults
Experience lower rates of alcohol and other drug use
Be less likely to engage in criminal acts or be incarcerated
And it is not just kids who win! Parents of participants:
Complete more years of schooling
Are more likely to be employed
Have higher earnings
SAVE TIME WITH A SINGLE APPLICATION.
The Fall 2021 priority deadline is March 15th for Charlottesville City and April 15th for Albemarle County. Applications are accepted year-round.
Go2Grow helps families review and sign up for early care and education opportunities. This single application can also inform families of their eligibility for publicly-funded programs that may provide free or reduced cost options.
Go2Grow applications can be filled out by any family with a child, birth to age 5, looking for care in Central Virginia.
Not sure which programs you’re eligible for? Contact our Navigator, Rebecca Martin, for assistance at go2grow@unitedwaycville.org, by phone or by text at 434-459-0506
LEARN ABOUT EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS IN YOUR AREA.
MACAA Early Head Start
Beginning Summer 2021, MACAA will begin offering Early Head Start to our community. Early Head Start is available to eligible children, birth to age 3, in the City of Charlottesville, and the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson. New infant, toddler and two-year-old classes will operate at MACAA’s Park Street Center in Charlottesville, with a total of 48 center-based slots. An additional 12 slots will be available in our home-based program. The center-based program will operate year-round with extended day hours expected. The home-based program is a home visiting program that takes place in the family’s home once per week for 90 minutes, in addition to group socialization activities offered twice per month. Early Head Start is also available to pregnant women. Both Early Head Start and Head Start are free to eligible families. For questions regarding MACAA’s programs, please contact Lina Abril-Montoya at (434) 295-3171 ext. 3008.
MACAA Head Start
MACAA’s Head Start program is designed to help break the cycle of poverty by providing preschool to children ages 3 and 4 who are in lower-income families. Children are enrolled in a comprehensive early-childhood development program to meet their emotional, social, health, nutritional and psychological needs. The program is free to eligible families. Summer care is not included. For questions regarding MACAA’s program, please contact the Head Start Program Coordinator: Lina Abril-Montoya, at (434) 295-3171 ext. 3008.
Charlottesville City Schools
Charlottesville City Schools offers a preschool program for 3 year-old children in 4 elementary schools. The child must turn 3 by September 30th of the school year of entry. Two classrooms are located in Clark Elementary School, and one classroom in Greenbrier, Johnson, and Jackson-Via Elementary Schools. Classes are in session five days a week from 9:00 am to 1:45 pm. Children are transported to and from school by school bus. The program is free to eligible families. Summer care is not included. Eligibility for this program is determined by the same criteria as those for the preschool program for 4 year-old children. For questions regarding Charlottesville City’s program, please contact the Coordinator of Preschool and Family Support, Sheila Sparks at (434) 245-2797.
Charlottesville City Schools
Charlottesville City Schools offers a preschool program for 4 year-old children in 10 classrooms located in 6 neighborhood elementary schools. Classes are in session Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm (regular elementary school hours). School buses transport the preschool children to and from school.The program is free to eligible families. Summer care is not included. For questions regarding Charlottesville City’s program, please contact the Coordinator of Preschool and Family Support, Sheila Sparks at (434) 245-2797.
Bright Stars
The Bright Stars Program serves children who turn 4 years old by September 30th and who may be at risk for developmental and/or educational challenges. A variety of child and family risk factors are considered to determine program eligibility including low or limited income, homelessness, limited parent/guardian education or an identified disability. Other risk factors may be considered such as single parent households, mental or physical health concerns, domestic violence, substance use, and abuse or neglect. Eligible children are served in their neighborhood school, where they will attend Kindergarten, with few exceptions. In addition to a high-quality preschool experience, the children and their families are provided support and case management by a Bright Stars family coordinator through the Albemarle County Department of Social Services. Bright Stars preschool classrooms are located at the following elementary schools: Agnor-Hurt, Greer, Mountain View, Red Hill, Scottsville, Stone-Robinson, and Woodbrook. Students living in the Stony Point district may be eligible to attend the preschool program at Stone-Robinson Elementary. Albemarle County Public Schools provides transportation to/from school for students who live within the school district where a Bright Stars classroom is located. The program follows the Albemarle County School’s calendar and operates from approximately 7:45 am – 2:30 PM. Children are transported to and from school by the School Bus system. The program is free for eligible families. Summer care is not included.
West Central Primary
Fluvanna County Public Schools
For more information visit: fluco.org
Greene County VPIVPI
For more information about the Greene County VPI program, please contact Kaki Payne at kpayne@greenecountyschools.com or 434-939-9002.
Louisa County VPI
For questions regarding LCPS VPI Preschool Program, please contact Justin Grigg, griggjs@lcps.k12.va.us , 540-894-5115.
Child Care Map
In addition to other programs – click here to see the map of potential care options in your area. Or contact the go2grow Navigator- Rebecca Martin, go2grow@unitedwaycville.org or 434-459-0506 to learn more about options in your area.
Mixed Delivery
The Mixed Delivery Program offers high-quality preschool in partnering private centers to children ages 3 and 4 by September 30 that are also eligible for the public VPI programs, who may be unable to attend such programs due to hours, accessibility, or location. Eligibility for this program is determined by the same criteria as those for the public preschool programs. This program is free to families. Summer care may be included. For questions regarding the Mixed Delivery Program please contact Deborah Rogers at drogers@unitedwaycville.org or 434-972-1708.
Subsidy Assistance
If you need assistance to pay for child care and want to learn more information about the subsidy programs in your community, visit commonhelp.virginia.gov or contact your local Department of Social Services Child Care Office.
