Parenting & Childcare

George Mason University Child Development Center

George Mason University Child Development Center (CDC) is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and is located on Mason’s Fairfax campus.  The CDC provides year-round care for the children of Mason’s faculty, staff and students.  The CDC enrolls children ages 2 through 5 in full-time care, operating Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.        

You can contact the CDC directly to find out about availability for enrollment.  Waitlist, registration forms, tuition/fees and the parent handbook can all be found by going to Program Information – George Mason University Child Development Center (gmu.edu).

Freedom Aquatic Center Preschool

Located on the Science and Technology (SciTech)campus in Prince William County, the Freedom Aquatic Center Preschool is a part-time program with enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis.  The preschool serves 4-year-olds on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 3-year-olds on Tuesday and Thursday.  Both age group programs are either morning or afternoon.  Morning hours are 9am to 11:45am and afternoon hours are 12:15p.m. to 3pm.  There is also a preschool prep program for children ages 2 ½ through 3 that operates Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to noon.  The program operates September through May and is closed in the summer,  in conjunction with the Prince William County Public Schools calendar.  Additional information about tuition and fees can be located on their website. 

There are various resources to draw upon as you search for licensed and regulated child care.  These resources can help you 1) identify if the provider is a good fit for your family; and 2) ask questions about health, safety and quality.  

• The Virginia Department of Education oversees all licensed and regulated programs for children birth through age 5.  Their website provides a search tool to help you find care, information about financial assistance for child care, questions to ask prospective providers and information about why quality child care matters.  Additional resources on this site include information on child growth and development and health and safety.

• Child Care Aware of Virginia is also an excellent resource and can help you 1) identify what to look for in providers, types of care, questions to ask providers, information about child care financial assistance, and family resources; and 2)request referrals to programs.  

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredits early childhood programs throughout the United States.  Only 7% of child care centers are accredited and the accreditation is considered the highest mark of quality.  You can search for accredited programs near you. 

The following centers accept childcare vouchers, offer scholarships, or sliding scale fees for income eligible families: 

Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA); serves Annandale & Bailey’s Crossroads Community Residents. 

Easterseals Child Development Centers; locations in DC, Maryland and Virginia 

Hopkins House Preschool Academies; three locations in Northern Virginia 

Laurel Learning Center; the majority of childcare slots are reserved for working families receiving childcare subsidies from Fairfax County. 

Northern Virginia Family Service; Head Start and Healthy Families Programs 

The Campagna Center; early childhood programs in Alexandria 

The Child and Family Network Centers; delivers quality education for Alexandria’s at-risk kids. 

United Community Early Learning Center; subsidies for qualifying families available through the Fairfax County Office for Children. 

YMCA of Metropolitan Washington: Infant Care and Preschool; Before and After School Care; Summer Camps. 

Child care is expensive and often out of reach for families.   Financial supports are available to families based on various eligibility criteria.  As you search for child care that meets your family’s needs, consider the resources that are available to you.

Early Head Start and Head Start

Early Head Start and Head Start are federal programs that fund local community-based providers and public schools.  Early Head Start is for children ages birth through age 2 and Head Start is for children ages 3 through 5.  Both programs are designed to give children a strong developmental foundation through high-quality early childhood programming and home visiting services.  To learn more about the eligibility for Head Start, visit the Office of Head Start website.  

To find an Early Head Start or Head Start program that is convenient for your family, use this search tool.  

Military Child Care

Child Care Aware of America partners with the United States armed forces and the Department of Defense (DoD) to serve and support military and DoD families with fee assistance and respite child care.  Each military branch and the DoD have unique eligibility requirements.  This link on the Child Care Aware of America website will guide you through the simple steps to determine your eligibility and provide application information.  

Child Care Vouchers

Federal funds and the State of Virginia provide child care financial assistance.  These funds are available to individuals who are searching for a job and/or who fall below certain income thresholds.  Income-eligible applicants must be employed, looking for a job, or participating in an education or training program.  This fact sheet provides detailed information about eligibility requirements, and application support.  

To Apply submit your application online, by mail, or in-person at your Local Department of Social Services.  Applications are available in English, Spanish, and other languages upon request.

Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI)

The Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) is state funded preschool for children who are four years old prior to September 30th.  Families whose income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level who are not eligible for Head Start are eligible for free preschool.  Also eligibility includes children who:

•  have an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), 
• live in foster care, 
• are under a child protective services order, 
• live in families who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),
• live in families who are enrolled in the Virginia Initiative for Employment Not Welfare (VIEW), 
• live with a teen parent.  

Some eligibility varies by County.  To determine if your children are eligible and to find providers in your community, call your local school district and ask about the VPI initiative or visit these resources in Fairfax County, Fairfax County Public Schools, Arlington County and Prince William County.  

Child Care and Student Financial Aid

Child care expenses can be included in a student’s Cost of Attendance (COA) if a student submits a Cost of Attendance Appeal form along with documentation from the child care provider showing anticipated or paid costs for the semester.  The amounts cannot exceed the tuition at the GMU Child Development Center.  

 A student seeking additional aid through a graduate plus loan or private loan can ask for additional support.  Once the funding pays for tuition and university expenses, the remaining funds can be used for outside costs such as child care.  

Federal law requires public schools to seek out and provide services to children with special needs.  If your child has a developmental delay, he/she may qualify for free preschool and early intervention services.  For children 2-5, evaluate the information about Early Childhood Special Education Services, connected to the local public school district.  If you are seeking services for an infant or toddler, visit Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia where you can find a step-by-step guide to services.