Early Child Care and Education

Black Philanthropy Month, founded by Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland in 2011, recognizes and promotes Black giving, generosity, and honors all forms of collective support and community impact. As an organization with a mission to support children and families, and that receives funding from the generosity of our diverse communities, we are highlighting our board members […]

In Virginia, 1 out of 8 mothers experience maternal mental health conditions. And especially among Black and Brown mothers, mental health conditions like post-partum depression, are much more commonly experienced, but less likely to be addressed, diagnosed, or treated. Last summer, we launched a new program in collaboration with the Virginia Health Care Foundation, called

For the past 31 years, Rosemary Kates has opened her home in Petersburg, Virginia to build a career nurturing and teaching the youngest of learners. She has spent years furthering her education to create a safe learning environment for the infants and toddlers in her care, saying, “I put what I learn into practice, and it really

St. James’s Children’s Center, 1205 W. Franklin St., RVA 23220; 804-358-9788 Interview with Diahann Whittington, Executive Director, by Cristin McKnight When children arrive at St. James’ Children’s Center each morning, members of the administrative team are waiting to greet them with friendly smiles and warm welcomes. This is a strong illustration of the program’s focus

University Child Care LLC, Lousia, Virginia Cynthia Garrett (right) and her daughter (Jahnae Robinson) who works full-time at UCC. Cynthia Garrett first thought of the idea of creating a child care center when she was working as an EMS medic. Cynthia said, “I realized how difficult it is for first responders, law enforcement, and medical

Celebrating Black Philanthropy Month Maggie Walker – St. Luke’s Society “First we need a savings bank. Let us put our moneys together; let us use our moneys; let us put our money out at usury among ourselves and reap the benefit ourselves. Let us have a bank that will take the nickels and turn them

Champions Provider Highlight: Starling International Childcare and Learning Complex Henrico, VA In the heart of Henrico County, the Starling Learning Complex has been a cornerstone of early childhood education for nearly three decades. At the center of this vibrant learning community are several long-term leaders. I had the pleasure of speaking with Assistant Principal, Kiran

Champions Provider Highlight: Norma’s Little Sunshine Family Day Home Norma Francis, Petersburg VA. With a deep-rooted passion for children and a heart committed to early education, Norma Francis has been nurturing young minds since 2008, first in New York and now in Petersburg, Virginia. Ms. Norma opened Norma’s Little Sunshine Family Day home in Petersburg

Young children need physical activity every single day, so how can we do that if we aren’t getting outside because of cold and wet weather? Lots of materials can be used indoors or outdoors to promote physical development. Aside from getting fresh air, physical activity can be incorporated into daily circle or even music/movement activities.

Through working closely with child care providers in Virginia, ChildSavers has listened and learned that child care deserts are not the only deserts effecting our communities’ youngest children and their families—food deserts and lack of access to nutritious food continues to impact under-resourced communities. The Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) is a federal