The Community Foundation of the New River Valley Annual Report 2024-2025

government, and businesses have also helped us make the case for early education as a key component of regional economic development. Ultimately, we are focused on conveying the importance of high-quality, early education to our community. “One of the most important things we need in our industry is to feel valued and appreciated,” said Kristi Snyder, the administrator of Rainbow Riders Childcare Centers. “When teachers feel that the families and our community as a whole value the work they do, it truly makes a difference.” “ Stability with our staffing has helped us to get enrollment to more sustainable levels and to provide a higher level of quality care and education for our children and families. Kristi Snyder Rainbow Riders Childcare Centers

support and resources in childcare centers. The combination of financial, professional, and emotional support has been key to the project’s success. “The emotional work of early childhood education can be rewarding but also draining,” said Melissa West, director of the Mayapple School. “Everything that [First Steps] ARPA can do to help prevent burnout and increase a sense of purpose and meaning for staff is so appreciated.” Recruiting the Next Generation of Early Educators Expanding childcare access also requires new educators. Together with New River Community College, Early Childhood Education Initiatives at Virginia Tech, and other partners, we host the Those Who Can, Teach Career Day to recruit high school students to the field. More than 60 high school students from all NRV school systems spend the day in hands-on sessions led by childcare directors. Attendees explore different early learning philosophies and curricula, and see how concepts in math, literacy, and science are shared in an early education setting. They also learn about scholarship opportunities to pursue early education credentials or degrees. The career day, among other workforce programs, has grown the number of students in high school early education classes, thus expanding the number of qualified individuals entering the workforce. What’s Next? Funding for this project ends in June 2026. We are working with childcare directors to chronicle the impact of the project, identify what should be sustained, and secure funding to expand across the New River Valley. Ongoing partnerships with Virginia Tech, local

PROGRESS OVER TIME

STAFFING VACANCY RATE

# OF CHILDREN SERVED

15%

11%

NOVEMBER 2021 Blacksburg’s childcare providers are licensed to serve 1199 children. In November 2021, they were serving approximately 620 .

SEPTEMBER 2024 Blacksburg’s childcare providers are serving 848 children an increase of about 37% in 3 years.

NOVEMBER 2023 ~200 positions total. Vacancy rate of 15% .

SEPTEMBER 2024 ~245 positions total. Vacancy rate of 11% .

3 of 11 centers 100% staffed.

5 of 11 centers 100% staffed.

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