YWCA South Hampton Roads’ Child Development Centers at TCC continue to make strides for quality

YWCA South Hampton Roads’ four Child Development Centers at Tidewater Community College have each earned another level of distinction from Virginia Quality, the voluntary statewide system that evaluates staffing and programs at day care centers and preschools.

Each of the centers has achieved Level 2 certification, according to the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System – or QRIS. All are above compliance with education and qualification standards as they relate to staffing required by the Department of Social Services.

The centers achieved Level 1 certification a year ago, meaning they are in compliance with all local and state regulatory agencies as they relate to basic health and safety of children.

Achieving Level 2 is the second of the five-level quality improvement path, with every level building on the one before it.

YWCA South Hampton Roads operates and staffs the centers located on TCC’s Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach campuses.

“The YWCA South Hampton Roads partnership with TCC to offer an affordable preschool program in Hampton Roads is a gem in our community,” said Mary Kate Andris, president and chief executive officer of the YWCA South Hampton Roads. “The recent achievement of attaining a Level 2 quality standard rating makes the child development centers at TCC the best option for children in our community.”

“We credit our partner, YWCA South Hampton Roads, for its hard work and dedication to quality child care,” said TCC President Edna V. Baehre-Kolovani. “Together, we will work with them to ensure each successive level is met because we know how many of our students and community members depend on us to provide excellent care and education for their children.”

The Child Development Centers are open to current students, faculty and staff, as well as the community. Full- and part-day care are provided for children ages 2 ½ to 6 years old. Drop-in care is also available.

All Child Development Centers are fully licensed by the state’s Department of Social Services.

For information, visit tcc.edu/childcare or email Shawnda Cole, the YWCA’s TCC Child Development Center program director, at shawnda.cole@ywca-shr.org.

TCC is the Eastern Region home of Virginia Quality. To learn more, visit www.qualitybeginshere.com.