Welcome to Walnut Grove

OUR MISSION:
Walnut Grove Child Care Center has been caring for children for more than 26 years. We have been an important part of the community.  Our centers have provided loving child care and employment for countless neighbors and their children.  Many of the children we've cared for have grown up and worked for Walnut Grove.  Walnut Grove graduates also bring their children to us because they know from personal experience that their child will be taken care of with the utmost respect and knowledge.

Walnut Grove Child Care Centers, Incorporated is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) as well as an Equal Opportunity Child Care Provider. 

Walnut Groves’ mission is to provide the highest quality of child care possible.  Our developmental program includes age-appropriate activities to help develop and enhance your child’s intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth.  Activities shall include large motor skills, small motor skills, language development, music, art and social interaction in a safe, clean, loving environment.

Each child brings with them their own unique personality and family experiences.  The children develop at their own pace.
Walnut Grove has an open door policy.  Parents are encouraged to join in our activities.  Children’s self-esteem is enhanced when they are aware that their parents care about and approve of their world.  School is a very large part of their world.  Walnut Grove encourages the “Team” approach to child care.  “Team” being home and school.

You will have daily contact with your child’s teacher to discuss his or her developmental progress. You will be able to find out if your child is having a good time growing and learning.

BREIF HISTORY:
Walnut Grove Child Care Centers was incorporated in 1990.  Prior to that date Jennifer Holtslag had operated the first Virginia state licensed home daycare in Fauquier County.  This began when her 3rd child, James, was born in 1982.  Jennifer realized that there were no child care facilities in the area that she felt were “adequate” for the care of her son when it was time for her to return to work.

Jennifer began to look into a way to work at home and be with her own children.  Her goal of providing higher quality child care for families in the community soon developed.

Jennifer enrolled in college courses to obtain the child development degree needed for a proper child care facility in Virginia.

After several years of night classes, being a mother of three, and running a full-time home child care center, this goal was obtained. 

Small Fry Home Daycare was a success.  Small Fry Home Daycare operated with a continuous waiting list until Jennifer had her first child care center built in 1990.

OPERATION:
Walnut Grove’s full care centers are open year round.  We are closed for specified holidays and weekends.  Our hours are 6:30am to 6:30pm Monday thru Friday.

Our staff is trained in CPR, First Aid, MAT(medication) training, Food Handling, and child development and safety training.  Their education is on going and encouraged.

Food is catered by a state licensed and approved catering company.  You may send a bag lunch from home if you wish.  We are a peanut free business, so please do not send peanut products to school.

Our centers have emergency response plans that have been approved by the State of Virginia Department of Social Services.  We have coordinated our plan with local and state officials, police and fire departments to respond properly to any event, natural or man-made crisis.