Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) offers free pre-kindergarten to qualifying families through the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI). The purpose of VPI is to provide quality early childhood programs for at-risk four-year-olds. VPI is a program designed for families who might not otherwise be able to access quality early childhood education opportunities. Please contact the program directly to learn more information.
There are four Alexandria Libraries across the city, offering a range of story times and other activities for young children. Some offer English languages classes and other activities.
ALIVE! strives to provide nutritious staple foods to our neighbors in need through direct distribution to our clients and by supporting Alexandria’s food pantries, meal kitchens, public schools, recreation centers, and other community partners.
The BabyCare program is a Medicaid approved program provided by the Alexandria Health Department to foster safe and healthy pregnancies and healthy babies by coordinating services and providing education. BabyCare services are provided by Health Department Public Health Nurses, experts in the health of mothers and children. Our services are available to eligible pregnant women and/or children up to the age of two.
A community anchor for over 30 years, The Child & Family Network Centers (CFNC) delivers quality education to Alexandria’s neediest kids. Spearheaded by a group of mothers living in public housing in 1984, CFNC is the ONLY Alexandria, VA nonprofit providing free quality, bi-lingual preschool and family support for our area’s working poor—members of our community. Today CFNC is teaching 138 of Alexandria’s kids–providing early education, family support services and health services. Specific ages served, eligibility, and programs range by location. Please contact the program directly to learn more information.
Eligible individuals, including recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, may qualify for child care assistance through the city workforce development office while attending employment training or job seeking.
The City’s Early Childhood division maintains a list of child care providers regulated by the city, and can provide information about assistance (such as the child care subsidy program) that may be available to qualifying families to help pay for child care.
Family owned and operated since 1980, Creative Play School offers early childhood education and care for children 16 months – 10 years old. A professional staff combined with a curriculum that stimulates creativity provides a learning environment in which all children can learn, grown and thrive. Specific ages served, eligibility, and programs range by location. Please contact the program directly to learn more information.
The Campagna Center Early Head Start program is a year-round program, serving children ages birth to three and expectant mothers. Offering a comprehensive range of services, the EHS program builds social, emotional, intellectual, and physical skills in infants and toddlers.
Healthy Families is a home-visiting program that provides support to expecting or new parents that promotes positive parenting skills, improves child health & development, and prevents child abuse/neglect.
Hopkins House operates education enriched preschool academies for infants and children, summer discovery camps for adolescents, and a college and career development institute for teens and adults, that help build the foundation for 21st century achievement and success in the new global economy.
The Alexandria Health Department offers routine immunizations for infants, teens and adults, including free immunizations required for school for families without insurance.
Alexandria City Public Schools offers full-day kindergarten at all of the city’s elementary schools for students who will turn age 5 by September 30th.
The Center for Alexandria’s Children’s Learn& Playgroups serve families with children ages 0-5 years old in Alexandria. Playgroups are places where children and their parents or caregivers come to have fun learning and playing together, make friends and get connected to community and school resources.
Neighborhood Health provides high quality and affordable primary care for the whole family including medical care, behavioral health, dental care, medication assistance, labs, case management, and referral to community resources – all in one setting. NH has several locations in Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County.
Parent Resource Center at ACPS supports parents to become partners in their child’s education and serves the diverse families of children with disabilities in the Alexandria City community. Services are available at no charge to all residents of Alexandria with children ages 2 to 22, regardless of whether enrolled in public school, private school, preschool, or at home.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
SNAP assists individuals and families who are unable to purchase sufficient food for themselves, and TANF provides eligible families with a monthly cash payment to meet their basic needs and other assistance.
Support Coordination and Developmental Disabilities Waiver Program for Children & Youth with Developmental or Intellectual Needs
This city program helps families identify resources in the community for supporting children and youth with developmental or intellectual needs ages 3-22.
Call
703.746.5437
Teen Wellness Center
The Teen Wellness Center based at T.C. Williams High School offers confidential services to ALL teenagers aged 12 to 19 years old, who live in the City of Alexandria, including pregnancy testing.
The Campagna Center provides high-quality early childhood education to preschoolers ages 3-5. The early learning programs, including Head Start and the Virginia Preschool Initiative, provides opportunities for each child to expand their talents and interests, build supportive relationships, and receive educational experiences that promote school readiness – so that each child can reach their fullest potential. Specific ages served, eligibility, and programs range by location. Please contact the program directly to learn more information.
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides vouchers for nutritious food benefits, nutrition counseling, promotes breastfeeding and provides breastfeeding support to pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, and for infants and children up to the age of 5 years.