Family Resources
WV Birth to Three is a statewide system of services and supports for children under age three who have a delay in their development, or may be at risk of having a delay, and their family. Services are available to all eligible children and families at no cost.
Good child care arrangements can improve the daily lives of children and parents. Children in high quality care have higher levels of success when they enter school, and exhibit more cooperation and stick with tasks longer than children in other settings. Quality child care environments challenge a child to learn.
Early Education Options
Conclusive research shows that 90% of brain development occurs within the first three years of life. The University of North Carolina Abcedarian Project, which followed the development of 111 children from toddler hood to age 21, found that those children enrolled in high quality early care and education environments had higher cognitive test scores, enhanced language development, reduced teen pregnancy rates and were more likely to attend and graduate from college. Other studies have shown that children attending high quality child care programs demonstrate less juvenile delinquency, a 41% reduction in special education placement, and are more considerate, cooperative, and gain greater economic independence. Children who benefit from high quality child care programs are also less likely to rely on public assistance programs. When you look at the benefits of early education, you can see why choosing the right environment for your child is important.
West Virginia's Child Care Program is dedicated to improving the affordability, accessibility and quality of child care services. To improve affordability, the Division of Early Care & Education manages a statewide system of Child Care Resource and Referral agencies, which provide resource information and financial assistance to eligible families. Financial assistance covers the majority of the cost of direct care and protection of children while parents work, attend training, or are otherwise unable to provide care. The agencies also educate consumers on selecting appropriate child care and refer parents to providers in their area.