child development center

program philosophy

The YWCA Child Development Center’s purpose is to provide an environment that encourages social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth and development of the child as a whole.

 

Our programs embody the ideals of the YWCA – peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people, and the elimination of racism. Accordingly, we encourage children to communicate peacefully and to embrace diversity and equality. In keeping with the YWCA’s mission, the Child Development Center provides services to families from a diverse population.

 

It is the philosophy of the YWCA’s Child Development Center that childhood should be a time of fun, warmth, security, exploration and discovery. The staff strives to nurture and encourage the creativity and curiosity of the children in our care, providing an atmosphere where each child can experience success
at his/her own level.

 

preschool childcare program

The YWCA provides year-round pre-school services for children between the ages of 3–5. Pre-school hours are 7:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday — Friday. The pre-school program utilizes the Creative Curriculum that is widely accepted by educators as effective for preschoolers.  This program is one of a few nonprofit centers that are certified and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). 

 

The YWCA provides Head Start services through a partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University’s Head Start Program. Information about enrolling a child in the Head Start program is available by calling the YWCA Child Development Center or the Head Start Office at VCU.

 

Children participating in Head Start must reside in the city of Richmond and are enrolled through Virginia Commonwealth University’s Head Start Program. Children living in emergency shelters who participate in the YWCA’s pre-school program are enrolled directly at the YWCA with the coordinated effort of the shelter case manager.

 

Summer Preschool Programming
The YWCA provides full-day care in its Summer Program for children ages 3 -5. The Summer Program officially begins one week after school closes for the summer and ends two weeks before school starts again in the fall. Summer hours are 7:00 am- 6:00pm, Monday - Friday.

 

Program Fees
The YWCA is committed to making quality childcare services available to homeless and low-income families. A tiered, subsidized fee system is available to homeless and low-income families based on sheltered/unsheltered status and family income. Low-income families are eligible based on family size and family income set by USDA income criteria and recertified at the beginning of each school session (Fall, Winter, & Summer). The cost of providing these services is supported through grants and donations and is subject to available funding.

 

the children at our center enjoy . . .

• Playing at the annual Fall Festival
• Dressing up as their favorite characters on Nursery Rhyme Dress-Up Day
• Eating Department of Agriculture approved and certified meals and snacks
• Making regular trips to the library
• Learning how to swim
• Learning fire safety from real firefighters at the local fire station
• Going on a picnic every spring
• Touring the newspaper and learning about what it’s like to be a reporter
• Feeding the circus elephants when they come to town
• Taking several educational (and fun!) trips a year

 

For more information, contact the YWCA at 804-643-6761