VCU Health Child Development Center

Who we are

Mission

Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and engaging early learning environment. Our Reggio-inspired approach recognizes each child as infinitely creative, capable, and intelligent. Our team and educators work in community with each other to deliver a comprehensive and collaborative education that supports the diverse needs of the children and families in our care. We serve our community in support of the health system’s goal of providing safe and high-quality care to our patients.

Philosophy

VCU Health Child Development Center (CDC) believes in building a working partnership with parents, families, and the community to provide a child development program that nurtures a healthy sense of self-worth, fosters the growth of skills in all developmental domains, encourages independence and promotes diverse cultural values and acceptance. We accomplish this goal embracing the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood development. We believe in providing a loving, supportive environment where well-trained, sensitive staff appreciate the uniqueness of each child. Staff should encourage children to feel empowerment over their lives through independence, trial, and error, and successful challenges. Our program is based on best practices in early childhood theory, which are research-based, developmentally appropriate, and child-centered.

STREAMin³ curriculum

VCU Health CDC utilizes the STREAMin³ curriculum for all children ages birth-5 years. STREAMin³ activities, routines, and materials are designed to support these skills in engaging and culturally sensitive ways. Our activities and resources are structured enough to promote important interactions that support Core and STREAM Skill development, and flexible enough to connect with each child’s unique learning needs, culture, and background. Educators are encouraged to get to know their children and families and to use their own creativity and expertise to adapt the curriculum to suit their classroom.  

A child’s interactions between teachers and peers are what matter most. The in³ of STREAMin³ is all about ensuring interactions are intentionally integrated across the day, across the ages, and across the Core Skills. To make the most of these interactions, we combine what we know about how children develop and learn best with an understanding of the skills they need. The result are a series of targeted, Intentional Teaching Practices that best support children’s development and learning. In each activity, Intentional Teaching Practices are presented that align with the Core and STREAM Skills of focus. 

Tuition

The age group in which a child is enrolled establishes the tuition rate.  Tuition is not dictated by a child’s age.  For current tuition prices, please contact our center.

Tuition may be paid weekly or monthly, and is not prorated for changes that occur in the middle of a billing-cycle.  There is no weekly tuition discount for days that school is closed, to include holidays and/or emergency closings, or for absences as a result of illness. Tuition is payable through Tadpoles. We cannot accept cash or checks.

Holidays & closings

All VCU Health CDC locations are closed:  

• Thanksgiving Day  
• Christmas Day  

Holiday care is available for the following:  

• Independence Day  
• Labor Day  
• Day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday)
• Christmas Eve (all locations close at exactly 6 p.m.)
• New Year’s Day  
• Memorial Day  

Holiday care is only available for families where both caretakers are scheduled to work at VCU Health on the designated holiday. Holiday care is not available for use if one parent/guardian is not scheduled to work the holiday. Verifiable work schedules and reservations are required in advance of the need for holiday care. VCU Health CDC administration reserves the right to contact parent/guardian departments within VCU Health to verify holiday work schedules.  

Additional closing for Professional Development Days are identified in the Family Handbook annually and on the Annual School Calendar.

Volunteering & student collaboration

The VCU Health CDC partners with VCU Health Volunteer Services. All volunteers complete the appropriate background checks, and are supervised in the classroom. If you are interested in volunteering with our program, please contact Volunteer Services at 804 828-0922 or volunteer@vcuhealth.org. You can read more about Volunteer Services through their website.

Our programs incorporate collaborative opportunities with other departments including research, observation, and other partnerships. Families are invited to participate in any activities, and are notified ahead of time with the option to opt out.

Teaching Strategies (TS) Family app

Our programs utilize the TS Family app for documentation and communication with families. The TS Family app combines the Tadpoles Childcare Management Software with Teaching Strategies growth and development documentation. Through this app, families can see daily information, like meals, naps, and potty/diapering, as well as photo updates and communication with teachers.