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A message from Bright Beginnings Central VA
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BBCV staff are transitioning back to in-office operations. Staff will be in the office on Tuesday and Thursdays, and Friday mornings. The majority of meetings will continue to be held virtually, although some in-person meetings will also take place.
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We are evaluating the possibility of in-person professional development programs, including our annual conference. No decisions have been made at this time.
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We appreciate the Early Care and Education Providers who have contacted BBCV and expressed their willingness to help the community during this crisis, especially as the need for childcare has grown.
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We at BBCV, along with our community, country and the world, look forward to the complete end of this crisis and the return to normal programming. Until then, please stay safe and healthy.
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Karen
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library through Bright Beginnings CV at the United Way of Central Virginia, is offered to children from birth through age five who reside in the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford or Campbell.
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Registrations are temporarily suspended in the counties of Amherst, Appomattox and Bedford due to limited funding. We hope to resume registrations in these counties as soon as possible.
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Bright Beginnings extends its sincere gratitude to the Watt Foster Family Foundation for its generous support of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Campbell County!
Bright Beginnings CV is accepting applications for a Coordinated Enrollment Assistant.
Send letter of interest and resume to:
Director, Bright Beginnings CV
United Way of Central Virginia
1010 Miller Park Square
Lynchburg, VA. 24501
Bright Beginnings Central Virginia (SBCV) is a regional initiative, serving the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell, and the city of Lynchburg. BBCV is housed within the United Way of Central Virginia, which serves as its fiscal agent.
Our Vision: All Children are supported in getting ready for kindergarten, to lay the building blocks for third grade reading proficiency.
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BBCV serves as a facilitator of conversation and action focusing on the needs of children.
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On This Page:
Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Gus the Learning Bus
Read for the Record
Week of the Young Child
The Incredible Years
Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Smart Beginnings is pleased to coordinate a regional DPIL program through the United Way of Central Virginia. The program is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth to age five. We are offering this program to children residing in the city of Lynchburg and surrounding counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell. To enroll your child, submit the request below. INCOMPLETE APPLICATONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED - THIS INCLUDES PHONE, EMAIL AND ZIP CODE.
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Literacy Bus Program
SBCV's s Gus the Learning Bus can be seen visiting neighborhoods each week, guiding parents through pre-literacy and learning activities with their children. The bus may also participate at task force events, community programs and on-site events hosted by local businesses. To request the bus at an event, contact Smart Beginnings.
Where is Gus?
Gus is traveling weekly, in partnership with Campbell County Public Schools to two neighborhoods, Locust Gardens and Twin Oaks on alternating Tuesday mornings. This will continue through the summer months into the fall, then take a hiatus during the winter.
You can also find Gus in these places:
Amherst County Fall Festival
Day in the Park
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Raintree Community Day
Forest Lions Health Fair at the Salvation Army
and more!
Week of the Young Child
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The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.
Week of the Young Child was established in 1971, recognizing that
the early childhood years (birth through age 8) are the most important in
preparing children to learnand be successful in school and later in life.
Each SBCV Task Force plans local activities to celebrate Week of the Young Child.
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When is Week of the Young Child? Usually the first or second week of April.
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 photo booth |
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 sand2 |
 ring toss |
 connect4 |
 legos2 |
 Smart Beginnings |
 drums |
 sand |
 plants |
 hula hoops |
 blocks |
 giant legos |
 foam blocks |
Week of the Young Child
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Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make our 2019 Week of the Young Child celebration a big success!
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Also thank you to all participating vendors and activity sponsors:
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​Amazement Square
The Cotton Candy Lab
Hutcherson Early Learning Center
Holy Cross Regional Catholic School
Elizabeth's Early Learning Center
Rivermont Early Learning Center
Mary Bethune Academy
Community Access Network
Johnson Health Center
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Read for the Record
Read for the Record
Jumpstart's Read for the Record is an international campaign to bring young children together with caring adults to read the same book, on the same day, in communities all over the world.
Read for the Record Day takes place in October of each year. Volunteers in the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell, and the city of Lynchburg read the designated book in public schools, libraries, family day homes, preschools and child care programs.
Smart Beginnings coordinates this effort in Central Virginia.
Results?
4,000 children were read to in 2013
5,450 children were read to in 2014
4,776 children were read to in 2015
6,500 children were read to in 2016
6,000 children were read to in 2017
8,006 children were read to in 2018
Reid Wodicka was a bit hit in 2018!
An $8.00 donation provides a new copy of the book to a class in Central Virginia.
ThThe Incredible Years
The Incredible Years is an evidence-based parenting program that focuses on strengthening parenting skills, encouraging parent involvement in children's education to promote children's academic social and emotional skills and reduce conduct problems.
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The Incredible Years program provided through Smart Beginnings Central Virginia, primarily focuses on the preschool age (3-6 year old), however meetings are open to parents with children of all ages.
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We can offer in-person or virtual programs, depending on current COVID recommendations. Meetings typically last 1.5 hours.
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To register, please complete the application below:
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