EXCERPT FROM: Fredericksburg.com
By Bill Freehling
Fredericksburg-area businesses that provide child care and early education services report declining enrollments as families cut costs amid a tough economy.

EXCERPT FROM: Washington Business Journal
By Sarah Krouse
Arlington County wants to attract more child care centers to its commercial corridors and is considering a change to its zoning ordinance that will offer lower rents to centers and give developers additional project density in exchange for providing such space.

FRONT ROYAL -- Many area day care centers are feeling the financial pinch as families look to reduce or eliminate child care expenses from already stretched-thin household budgets.

Virginia Department of Social Services officials make unannounced inspections of day-care centers at least twice a year.

It sounded like good economic news when the Virginia Department of Social Services recently received $38 million in federal stimulus funds to boost its childcare program for low-income working families.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced Thursday a $38 million infusion into Virginia’s Child Care and Development Block Grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The increased federal funding will assist low-income families with child care and improve the quality of care and delivery of services.

Without wasting any time, really, the Alexandria School Board moved April 16 to create a new position to lead the “development, implementation and coordination” of early childhood programs throughout ACPS and the city as a whole.

Gov. Tim Kaine asked state lawmakers last session for $56 million to expand subsidized pre-kindergarten for low-income children. They gave him less than half that.

The Elizabeth Randolph Lewis Powhatan YMCA is pleased to offer financial assistance to those seeking and qualifying for assistance. As we continue to provide financial assistance at our licensed child care sites including Pocahontas Elementary and Powhatan Elementary, we will also extend our program to Flat Rock Elementary School students. Child Care is available as a two-day or five-day option.

Child care is expensive – ask any working parent. Child care is often the second largest monthly expense, after mortgage/rent payments, which a family with young children deals with.