Choosing child care is one of the most important decisions families make. Yet all too often they must rely on word of mouth. Local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) organizations help families take the guesswork out of choosing care - giving them referrals to local child care providers, information on state licensing requirements, the availability of child care subsidies, and other pertinent information. CCR&Rs provide guidance by phone, in person, and on the Web, that are tailored to each individual family.

• Virginia Child Care Resource and Referral Network is a statewide 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established in 1989 to promote and support quality child care resources throughout Virginia and to coordinate the efforts of more than a dozen local agencies.
• Virginia Child Care members include private, nonprofit and public CCR&R organizations which help families find and select child care in their communities.
• Virginia Child Care is recognized by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) as the statewide CCR&R network for Virginia. Members adhere to the standards of operation developed by NACCRRA.

Statewide Activities

Virginia Child Care develops, maintains and expands quality CCR&R services throughout Virginia and works to increase public awareness of the need for affordable and available child care.


These activities include:

• Training and technical assistance to local CCR&R’s and communities seeking to establish CCR&R services
• Development and implementation of professional standards and guidelines for CCR&R services
• Data collection, maintenance and reporting on child care supply and demand in and throughout Virginia
• Information resources for public and private organizations, community planners, human service organizations, state policymakers, and state ant federal legislators
• Statewide planning to advocate for and meet the child care needs of Virginia families

Local Activities

Virginia Child Care members offer a personal approach to child care information, support and resource-building. By talking with parents one-on-one, CCR&R counselors develop a unique understanding of the family’s particular needs. They understand that finding high quality child care is just the first step to raising happy, healthy children. Through workshops, hotlines, and newsletters, CCR&R’s reach out to families with trusted, local information that enables them to make informed choices. Educating families about early learning and the components of quality care is a major focus of CCR&R services.

Local CCR&R agencies serve as important resources to child care providers. They provide technical support for center-based and family child care providers on many subjects, including child development, budgeting, administration, professional development and much more. They collect and collate child care data that may be used to advocate for child care providers’ needs.

Each CCR&R:

• Assists families in making informed choices in selecting child care that best meets their individual needs
• Helps to develop and maintain quality child care programs which are responsive to local needs
• Provides services to enhance the quality of child care, such as training and technical assistance to child care providers
• Networks with other community organizations and policymakers to develop a local child care strategy and boost public awareness of child care issues
• Informs communities about the important links between early learning and later success in school
• Maintains a comprehensive database on child care needs and availability

CCR&R services are free and available to all families and child care providers!