Supports & Services - Childcare & Early Education

Financial

Financial Supports & Services

These initiatives are part of our Financial Stability impact area, which increases opportunities for local families, individuals, and small businesses to become economically stable and independent.

Financial Supports & Services

Thousands of families in our region are stuck deciding whether they can pay the car bill, send their kids to childcare, or put healthy food on the table. We help families break this cycle by providing tools to meet immediate needs and to work toward long-term economic goals.

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Childcare & Early Education

Childcare & Early Education Supports & Services

These initiatives are part of our School Readiness impact area, which makes high-quality early care and education accessible so all children reach their potential at school and beyond.

Childcare & Early Education Supports & Services

Future success is directly correlated with quality early education and care. Through the childcare and education services and programs offered in our region, we ensure local children receive the education they need to succeed in school and life.

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Community Involvement

Community Involvement

These initiatives are part of our Connected Community impact area, which empowers people, organizations, and businesses to come together as volunteers and partners to make our community stronger.

Community Involvement

We aim to build a more unified and empathetic community. We are committed to reaching this goal by bringing our community together to learn, volunteer, and make our shared home a better place.

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United Way of Greater Charlottesville is the cross-sector leader in expanding equitable opportunities for early childhood education and care throughout our region. Our goal is to set up each child with a strong foundation to help them reach their full potential later in life. This includes supporting high-quality early childcare and education through:

Find Childcare With Go2Grow
Explore, compare, and apply to free/reduced-cost birth to 5 care and education programs that best your needs. Read More
Childcare Scholarships and Mixed Delivery
Receive scholarships for high quality early childhood care/learning (for qualifying families). Read More
Ready Region Blue Ridge
Join us as we lead the charge on helping all young children access quality early education in our region. Read More
Early Learning Career Launch
The Early Learning Career Launch (ELCL) is prepares and supports individuals entering and advancing in the early childhood education field. Read More
Head Start/Early Head Start
United Way of Greater Charlottesville is working to ensure every child in our region has a strong start in life. Through our leadership in early childhood education, we are part of a regional coalition bringing high quality Head Start and Early Head Start services back to Central Virginia—expanding access to high-quality care, learning, and family support for children from birth to five. By partnering with local schools and community providers, we’re helping families build brighter futures and preparing every child to arrive at school ready to thrive. Read More
School Readiness Impact Grants
Through the School Readiness Impact Grants program, United Way of Greater Charlottesville funds access to local early childhood care and education. Read More

Personal Financial Services
United Way of Greater Charlottesville provides local families with the resources and tools they need to achieve financial resiliency. These programs provide direct assistance to families on their journey to economic stability and success. Read More
Small Business Supports
We partner with community organizations and nonprofits to help uplift, empower, and support local small businesses. These investments help local entrepreneurs build wealth while increasing the vibrancy and success of our shared community. Read More
Santa Fund for Schoolkids
About Santa Fund Donations to the Santa Fund, while primarily raised during the holiday season, help elementary,… Read More

All Childcare & Early Education Programs

School Readiness Impact Grants

Through the School Readiness Impact Grants program, United Way of Greater Charlottesville funds access to local early childhood care and education. Read More

Head Start/Early Head Start

United Way of Greater Charlottesville is working to ensure every child in our region has a strong start in life. Through our leadership in early childhood education, we are part of a regional coalition bringing high quality Head Start and Early Head Start services back to Central Virginia—expanding access to high-quality care, learning, and family support for children from birth to five. By partnering with local schools and community providers, we’re helping families build brighter futures and preparing every child to arrive at school ready to thrive. Read More

Early Learning Career Launch

The Early Learning Career Launch (ELCL) is prepares and supports individuals entering and advancing in the early childhood education field. Read More

Ready Region Blue Ridge

Join us as we lead the charge on helping all young children access quality early education in our region. Read More

Childcare Scholarships and Mixed Delivery

Receive scholarships for high quality early childhood care/learning (for qualifying families). Read More

Find Childcare With Go2Grow

Explore, compare, and apply to free/reduced-cost birth to 5 care and education programs that best your needs. Read More

The Impact

Children without access to quality early education resources face a more challenging pathway to financial stability as they move forward in life. Each child served through our early care and education programs has a greater opportunity to succeed in school and in life. United Way of Greater Charlottesville has helped lead exponential growth in building an integrated, effective system for early childhood care and education in our community.

Read more about our impact in most recent Annual Report.

*Based on the United Way of Greater Charlottesville 2023-2024 Annual Report.

Thomasina’s Story: From a head Start Educator to a Head Start Provider

Thomasina Tuner, owner of Mountain Lake Childcare, shares about her journey in early childhood care and education, the importance of offering programs like Head Start, and more. Read More

Sana’s Story: Becoming an Early Learning Educator

A mother and immigrant from Pakistan, Sana Fatima shares how United Way's ELCL program has set her up for future success. Read More

Early Learning Career Launch & Piedmont Family YMCA: Celebrating Our Community’s New Educators

Graduates of the Early Learning Career Launch (ELCL) program have kickstarted their careers as early educators with Piedmont Family YMCA at the new Sentara location! Read More

TamYon’s Story: Tam’s Toddler Town Childcare is Small Yet Mighty

We chat with TamYon Williams, owner and founder of Tam's Toddler Town Childcare and a recipient of an FY25 School Readiness Impact Grant, about her experience working in childcare. Read More

chris and wendy cooper outside pilgrim baptist church

The Coopers’ Story: Building the Foundation for Accessible Early Learning & Childcare for Charlottesville Families

Chris and Wendy Cooper have served Charlottesville’s 10th and Page neighborhood as co-pastors of Pilgrim Baptist Church for over a decade. Now, they’re focused on opening our community’s first Black-owned Montessori program. Read More

Kelcee’s Story: Finding Purpose as an Advocate

Kelcee Jones discovered her passion for helping others during the pandemic. Now, she brings her passion to life by working at a local nonprofit and advocating for families through Ready Region Blue Ridge Family Council. Read More

News & Updates

ELCL Students Awarded Over $18,000 for VDOE’s Early Educator Scholarships

Early Childhood Care & Education

Aug 27, 2026

Supports & Services - Childcare & Early Education

All Childcare & Early Education Programs

The Impact

Help us build a community where everyone thrives.