Child Care Initiatives
Creative Play at Little Hokie™ Hangout
Helping families balance home and work life needs
The Virginia Tech Graduate School supports three child-care and family-support focused programs for graduate and undergraduate students associated with the university’s commitment to a work-life friendly atmosphere. The programs comprise a parent support group and a cooperative play group for children ages 2-5 called Little Hokie™ Hangout. A babysitter clearinghouse is in the development stages. All of the programs are open to graduate and undergraduate students.
Former Dean and Vice President for Graduate Education Karen P. DePauw was a strong advocate for finding ways provide support for students with children for several years. A large percentage of the graduate school population includes students who must juggle child-care needs with studies and work as graduate assistants, graduate teaching assistants, or graduate research assistants. Additionally, more undergraduate students are balancing family needs with studies.
Child Care Coordinator Marin Riegger directs the programs and is working with the university to expand offerings and serve more students and their families.
Little Hokie™ Hangout: Early Childhood Education program
Little Hokie™ Hangout is a parent-run early childhood education program for children between the ages of 2 and 5 with a paid on-site program director.
The program operates 3 group sessions daily. The mission is to provide a welcoming, safe and creative environment for children to socialize and grow through loosely structured, play-based activities and programs.
Graduate students who are juggling family and their academic work meet monthly to discuss issues, connect with other parents, and enjoy a meal together. The Graduate School also may offer additional social events geared toward families, such as ice-cream socials on the Graduate Life Center lawn.