ACPS Child Care Program Survey – Please Respond by Aug. 17

Two children wearing masks ready for school

Dear Colleagues:

We are in the process of developing a program to provide child care for our teachers and classified staff when schools reopen on September 8. If you are interested in using this program, please take a few moments to complete the ACPS Employee Child Care Survey by Monday, August 17. Your responses will help us continue our planning.

Here’s what we have determined so far:

  • The ACPS child care program will operate Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. only as long as virtual learning is the primary form of instruction for ACPS students.
  • Children aged 4-12 are eligible for the program. Residency in Albemarle County is not required, and children do not need to be Albemarle County Public Schools students.
  • Child care will be offered at select elementary school locations, based on need. (We need to serve a minimum number of children to justify a location.)
  • The program will provide age-appropriate educational enrichment activities and permit students to access their virtual learning assignments and curriculum; however, child care staff are not expected to serve in a teaching role. Students should bring their school-issued remote learning devices and appropriate school supplies. 
  • The program will implement health and safety guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Social Services.

We anticipate that child care will be provided by Extended Day Enrichment Program (EDEP) staff and Special Education teaching assistants. We are still in the process of surveying these employees about their availability to staff the program.

Our ability to staff the program will determine the number of students we are able to serve, the locations we are able to offer, and the cost of the program. We expect to inform you of these details next week (the week of August 17) and then open program registration the following week (the week of August 24).

To those of you who are interested in using the program: Thank you in advance for helping us plan by completing the ACPS Employee Child Care Survey.

Please stay safe.

Sincerely,

Bernard Hairston

Dr. Bernard Hairston
Assistant Superintendent for School Community Empowerment