ABOUT OUR CENTER

Operated by University Services, the Child Development Center (CDC) opened August 31, 1992, at 4400 Patriot Circle, by the water tower. The Center occupies three modules, and has enrollment for 50 children, 2-5 years of age. The center is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Child Development Center serves faculty, staff, and students at the university, with enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis. Regular child care is provided 7 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday and children may attend 2, 3, or 5 days per week. Parents should visit the CDC with their children prior to enrollment, for a meeting with the director.

The Commonwealth of Virginia requires a standard Virginia health exam form with updated immunization records for all enrolled students, full- or part-time. Upon completion of the Registration Form and payment of the Registration Fee, a packet of information, including the Enrollment Agreement, a Parent's Handbook, and other pertinent data will be sent to those accepted in the program.

Young children learn through their play. The focus of their learning is on the formation of concepts about themselves and their physical and social environment. Their learning is facilitated by multi-sensory experiences, play, and language development.

Through play children explore their environment, try out various roles and problem solving strategies and test their ideas to discover relationships. They involve their senses as they touch, move, create, and develop understanding about feelings. Through interaction with adults and peers they become fascinated by the power of language as a tool for communication and understanding. They need guidance and encouragement from adults as they strive toward the development of autonomy and a positive sense of self.

The CDC provides a relaxed, nurturing environment, and activities to encourage development of language skills, math concepts, large and small muscle development, music, art, and dramatic play activities. Leaning about living things, community and social and self-help skills are also a part of this environment.

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2008-2009 Calendar of Events

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Parents are recognized as the first and most important teachers of children. They are encouraged to become as involved in the center's activities as their schedules permit. They are encouraged to visit the center during the day, meet their child for lunch, and to participate in special events when possible.

Parent-teacher conferences, monthly newsletters, and informal conversations provide opportunities for parents and staff to work closely together. Parents and staff are also encouraged to join the center's Parent's Group, which meets monthly.

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A morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided to the children, with food service by the Fairfax County Public Schools. If Fairfax County Public Schools are closed because of inclement weather, parents must provide lunch for their children. The meals meet nutritional standards as required by the USDA Child Care Food Program.

Please view the Head Start Program (Traditional Calendar) menus. Click to view a sample menu

Please remember this is only a sample menu and may not be exactly the same. Click to view nutritional information

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Please view our Parent Handbook

Please print and fill out the Registration Form and send to Tina Morris

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