Ready Region Blue Ridge

06/05/2026

This week our team attended Virginia Early Childhood Foundation's Technical Assistance event in Staunton where we worked closely with state leaders and other Ready Region teams to expand our work promoting affordable, quality childcare for all families in Virginia.

Investing and innovating in our early childhood care and education systems is vital to support families in our region and we loved getting to collaborate with others advocating for the same goals!

05/12/2026

Stories and songs belong together — join singer/songwriter, Joanie Calem, on May 28 for hands-on techniques that build language skills and connection in every child. Always accessible in our resource portal.

Register Now: https://bit.ly/3VZJr9T

05/12/2026

Free Car Seat Installation! 🚗

Join us for a FREE car seat installation event hosted by ACFR! Bring your car seat and get it properly installed. No sign-up needed.

📅 May 22 | 10-12 pm
📍3912 Lenox Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22901

05/08/2026

Happy ! 🍎📚🌟 ECCE providers are responsible for creating positive and welcoming learning environments that lay the groundwork for key social and emotional development. Your work empowers our youngest learners to grow and learn.

We asked our local providers for stories about some of the amazing providers in our community. Read about two rockstar ECCE educators Robert "Bobby" Day III at Sharon L. Hostler Child Development Center and Pam Murphy at Clarke County Pre-School.

Want to submit your story of a standout ECCE provider? Fill out the form at bit.ly/RRBR_providerstories

04/23/2026

We are currently accepting applications to participate in the Early Learning Career Launch program this June! 🍎

Through ELCL, participants will kickstart their careers in early childhood care and education. To qualify, you must have a High School Diploma/GED, be at least 18 years old, and have not committed any barrier crimes. There is no prior experience or licensing required.

✏ ELCL participants will work alongside UVA Pipelines & Pathways to obtain all necessary training and licensing throughout the month of June. ELCL partners with local employers including Bright Horizons, Piedmont Family YMCA, and other community childcare centers with the hopes that upon successful program completion, participants may potentially obtain full-time positions.

Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Thursday, May 14. Apply at http://bit.ly/46tE0ER

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact UVA Pipelines & Pathways at [email protected] or 434.962.3996.

04/20/2026

Happy April birthday to our UWGC teammates Brittany, Jesse, and Brianna on the School Readiness/Ready Region Blue Ridge team! Please join us in wishing them an amazing birthday month! 🎂

03/16/2026

📣 Applications due this Friday! 📣 There is still time to apply for a 2026 School Readiness Impact Grant! These grants are for ECCE programs in the Greater Charlottesville area that aim to increase access, expand programs, and/or enhance program quality.

Is your organization's goal to increase access and/or enhance quality of your programs? If so, learn more and submit your application at https://unitedwaycville.org/united-way-encourages-local-early-education-programs-to-apply-for-grants/

03/10/2026

03/05/2026

Have you explored Go2Grow yet? Go2Grow is where you can easily apply for childcare (for ages 0 to 5) for 2026-2027 school year programs, all with one simple application! This free online resources helps families explore free or reduced-cost care and education options in the following areas:

📍Albemarle County & Charlottesville
📍Buckingham County
📍Fluvanna County
📍Frederick Co, Clarke Co, Wi******er City (NSV)
📍Greene County
📍Harrisonburg & Rockingham
📍Louisa County
📍Madison County
📍Nelson County
📍Orange County
📍Page County
📍Rappahannock County
📍Shenandoah County
📍Staunton, Augusta Co, Waynesboro (SAW)
📍Warren County

Please note: even families who have used Go2Grow before must create a new account. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact [email protected].

Visit go2grow.org/schoolmint to apply and learn more!

02/22/2026

Too many Virginia families are waiting for affordable child care. Strategic investments could eliminate the child care waitlist and increase wages for educators. Learn more:https://vapromisepartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/VECF-GHCC-Session-Priorities-1.29.26.pdf



Virginia Early Childhood Foundation Virginia Promise Partnership