Around here, everyone has a different reason for loving Athens County, but parents often say, Its a great place to raise a family! And families need child care. Thats why the Athens community has come together to solve our little corner of the nationwide child care shortage.
Partnership to Provide Care
A couple years ago, in response to employees concerns, Ohio University formed a Child Care Task Force to examine the scope of the problem. Their work led to the formation of the Athens Community Child Care Partnership, a joint effort by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD) and the University.
The Partnership offers FREE child care intake/referral sessions to learn about and meet the needs of your family. The 30-minute sessions are held at Ohio University and facilitated by COAD experts. Seminars are also offered to provide additional guidance in choosing the best child care providers for you.
Child Development Center
University towns are ahead of the curve in benefitting from research-based innovation, and that certainly applies to child growth and development.
Ohio Universitys prestigious College of Health and Human Services opened a state-of-the-art child care facility in 2001, though its roots go back to the 1920s. The Child Development Center supports and promotes the intellectual, social and emotional growth of children from ages 6 weeks to five years.
A Wealth of Options
Every family is different, every child unique. In Athens County, you can choose from home-based or center-based care, faith-based or secular, programmed or free-wheeling.
The Athens County Department of Job and Family Services provides an up-to-date,comprehensive list of licensed, professional child care providers serving our region.
