The basic criteria to enter the program are the following:

• You must be a full time student or have been admitted for full time enrollment in a post secondary educational program that requires a minimum of one year to complete.
• You must be 18 years of age.
• You must be a single parent with primary custody of your child/children.
• You must have one child that is eligible to come into the childcare program and must attend our childcare program.
• You must be eligible for Section 8 rent subsidized housing.
• If applicable, you will provide divorce documentation (decree) to Virginia Place.

The Virginia Place self-sufficiency program is a comprehensive program which includes housing, child care, counseling, workshops, support from neighbors and staff, and special activities. 

Housing: Our facility has 71-two bedroom, and 8-three bedroom unfurnished apartments divided into ten buildings.  These apartments come under the Section 8 rent subsidy program.  These apartments are only for residents participating in the program and their child/children.  Non-residents may not live at Virginia Place, which means, only you and your child/children may reside at Virginia Place.  Moreover, this transitional housing is for residents only as long as they are active participants in the program.  Once residents have graduated, they must move on to other housing.

Child Care: The Child Care Center takes children from 6 weeks to 4 years old.  The childcare is a developmental program under the guidance of competent, loving teachers. 

  We hope that you will fill out this application thoughtfully and return it to Virginia Place with the other required documentation – transcripts, letters of recommendation and divorce decree/custody agreements (as applicable) as soon as possible.  After receiving your application and completed documents, we will set up an interview with you and the Admissions Committee.  

At Virginia Place there are the following resources:  

Counseling – There is a Family Services Coordinator who is qualified to assist you with personal and/or educational problems and set goals to accomplish your educational goals. The Family Services Coordinator will meet with Residents monthly or more often as needed. 

Workshops – There are monthly workshops led by experts who address subjects such as parenting skills, budgeting, problem solving, building self esteem, work skills, legal ramifications of being a single parent, health maintenance, etc.  These workshops are given from the needs expressed by the parents living at Virginia Place. 

Resident Council – Every resident should belong to the Resident Council and attend the monthly meetings.  It is during this time that needs, wants, desires, and problems are discussed; fun activities and fund-raising projects are planned; and individuals are recognized for their accomplishments.  The Resident Council is an important part of the life of Virginia Place community.      

ADMISSIONS PROCESS CHECKLIST 

Please complete the application and return it with the information listed below to the Virginia Place office.  Your application will not be considered unless it is completed and accompanied by the supporting documentation and letters. 

You may return the application by mail or drop it by the Virginia Place office.  The address is 1156 Horsemans Lane, Lexington, Kentucky 40504.  The office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  If you have questions, please call the office at (859)252-4828. 

After having received your packet of information, we will call you to arrange an interview with the Admissions Committee.  Acceptance is based on eligibility, motivation, and need for services.  The date of admission to the program will be based on availability of an apartment, and space for your child in the Child Care Development Center. 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS 

You may submit your application before receiving all the above documents; however, you will not be considered for an interview until all documents are received and your application is complete.  As we receive your competed application and all supporting documents, you will then be contacted for an appointment to meet with the Admissions Committee. 

One Parent Family Child Development Center 

Virginia Place Developmental Center takes children from 6 weeks to 4 years old.  The Center’s hours are from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  However, if a resident has an 8:00 a.m. class, a late class, or works late, the Center can accommodate those children from 7:15 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.  If you have a late class (or work) later than the Center’s hours, it is your responsibility to find someone to pick up your child by 5:30 p.m.  Please inform the Center’s Director of such scheduling conflicts. 

Your child must be enrolled in the Virginia Place Developmental Center until Kindergarten and must attend regularly.  You are encouraged to take an interest in the Childcare Program by visiting your child in the Center, asking questions, and participating in classroom meetings/activities, Parent/Teacher conferences, and serving on the Child Care Committee.  The Child Care Committee considers and approves policies and procedures for the Child Care Center. 

The Child Care Center is in the process of pursuing accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  Thus, the Center provides the philosophy of NAEYC position statement on Developmentally Appropriate Practices in early childhood programs.  Our activities are geared to the age of the child and how young children learn, and all developmental areas are addressed while at the Center.  This philosophy is further emphasized by partnership with Early Head Start and Head Start.  The Program is set up for the child’s interests and what young children need to learn and grow.  As young children learn through play, our curriculum models are based on learning centers and interactive play.  This means:

            Messy activities-so you need to dress your child so they can get “dirty”.

            Going outside every day that it’s not too cold or too hot, or raining.

            No child will be excluded from activities that the rest of the class are doing.

Children will be challenged, but not pushed to do skills they do not have the readiness skills or maturity to handle them.

Children who are sick cannot learn and need to stay home.  Children with temperatures of 100 degrees or who show signs of contagious illnesses will be sent home.  You must leave a contact number that allows staff to contact you in case of illness or injury. 

If you would like more information before making a decision whether this Child Care Center is the right place for your child, talk with the Child Care Director, visit the Center, and ask to review the Virginia Place Child Care Handbook.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A CHILD CARE ENVIRONMENT 

Responsive, nurturing, warm interactions between the Teachers and the children.  Do the Teachers like and enjoy the children, or are they trying to just get through the day? 

Are the teachers warm and caring?  Children who are happily involved in daily activities and comfortable with their Teachers.  Look at the relationships between the Teachers and the children.  A parent can begin to judge the quality of that relationship just be looking at how a Teacher greets the children. 

A clean, safe, and healthy indoor and outdoor environment. 

A variety of toys and learning materials, such as books, puzzles, blocks, and climbing equipment that your child will find interesting and which will contribute to their growth and development.  Children getting individual attention. 

Making the Decision – Ask yourself… 

1. Will this Child care program allow my child to be happy and to grow? 
2. Can the Teachers meet the special needs of my child? 
3. Are the Teachers values compatible with my family’s values? 
4. Do I feel good about my decision? 

Stay Involved? 

Can I arrange my schedule so that I can:

1. Talk to the teachers every day?
2. Talk to my child every day about how the day went?
3. Visit and observe my child’s Center at different times of the day?
4. Be involved in my child’s activities? 

Ask questions:

1. How can I work with the Teachers to resolve issues and concerns that may arise?
2. How can I keep informed about my child’s growth and development while in child care?
3. How can I network with other parents? 
4. These steps are only the beginning.  Gather as much information as possible to help you find the best care for your child. 

 What To Look For In A Child Care Program 

Questions to Ask: 

1. What hours & days are you open?           
2. How much does day care costs? 
3. Is financial assistance available? 
4. How many children are in the Center? 
5. The classroom your child will be in? 
6. How many children does each adult care for? 

Ask the Teacher to describe other children in her class.  (If she/he uses negative words, she may be negative toward your child too). 

1. How are age groups divided up? 
2. Do you provide meals? (breakfast, lunch, snacks) 
3. Do you have a license, accreditation or other certificates? 
4. What type of training & education do the Teachers have? 
5. How do you discipline? 
6. When can I come and visit? 

THINGS TO DO !!

            Don’t rely on first impressions – visit the center at least 2-3 times, particularly at stressful times of the day (i.e. when children are being picked up & dropped off).  Stay as long as you can to see what is happening.  

            Trust your instincts about a person (the Teachers and Center staff), because you will be forming a partnership with them to care for your child.

 A Word from the Director

As I tell all applicants, if you move into Virginia Place, we become a major player in your life and you become a major player in the life of Virginia Place.  You will find that the staff cares deeply about you and your child/children and they will be as supportive as possible, encouraging you to grow and feel good about yourself and the future of you and your child.  You will find that there’s a great deal of support among the residents and certainly an understanding by them of the problems faced by the single parent in today’s society.

If you are interested, return your application and supporting information to Virginia Place.  Then you will soon receive a phone call to set up an interview time with the Admissions Committee.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call.   I am looking forward to meeting you. 

Sincerely,

Marolyn Dowdy
Executive Director

Back to Top