University Child Care LLC, Lousia, Virginia
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 professionals to find childcare while working 24-hour shifts, overnights, holidays, and weekends.”
According to an employer survey conducted by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, parents in the following industries have the greatest barrier finding quality child care: hospitality, food service, retail, trade and transportation, and health care employers.
To fill that much needed gap, she decided to open University Child Care (UCC) in September of 2021. UCC provides care for children as young as 1 month to 12 years old, and currently has 10 children enrolled.
As someone new to the child care field, she looked for resources and found ChildSavers through our Child and Adult Care Food Program, which is a federal government program that gives cash reimbursement to child care providers for the nutritious meals and snacks they serve to the children in their care. She then completed her Child Development Associate (CDA), a credential study program that allows further career opportunities for child care providers.
“It was refreshing to meet team members who are kind, professional, knowledgeable, and always willing to help. I appreciate that the staff members have specific areas of expertise and that ChildSavers offers valuable resources for both parents and continuing education for providers. It is truly a wonderful resource for childcare providers and families alike.”
Thank you to Cynthia for sharing her story and trusting our team for guidance!
The Child Development Services program at ChildSavers supports the childcare and early education sectors with a broad range of training and professional development opportunities that include credentialing, mentoring, and nutrition education. To learn more about these programs and trainings, visit here!
