About Old Dominion Day School · Charlottesville
Old Dominion Day School is a licensed, accredited early-childhood daycare and preschool in Charlottesville, Virginia, serving children from 6 weeks through age 5 (junior kindergarten). The center has been part of the Charlottesville community for over 40 years and is led by Director Theresa Zick, who has served the school and the local community for more than 15 years. It operates five age-grouped classrooms (Infants, Toddlers, Two's, Three's, and Junior Kindergarten) on a play-based learning model that emphasizes academic, social, and creative development. The facility is licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services, accredited by the International Accreditation of Child Care Education Programming and Teaching (IACCEPT), and staffed by long-term educators who hold degrees or certificates in early childhood education and maintain First-Aid and CPR certification.
Old Dominion Day School is one of the oldest childcare centers in Charlottesville, Virginia. Located at 74 Barclay Place Court, the school has been serving area families for more than 40 years under the same community-focused mission. The center's stated mission is to help every child bring out the best in themselves through play-based learning that fosters both academic and social development and prepares graduates to feel comfortable and excited about entering kindergarten. The school is organized into five classrooms matched to developmental stages: Infants (6 weeks to 16 months), Toddlers (16 to 24 months), Two's (24 to 36 months), Three's (3 to 4 years), and Junior Kindergarten (4 to 5 years, capped at 5 years 11 months). The licensed capacity is 75 children, with low student-to-teacher ratios of roughly 4:1 in the infant room, 5:1 in the toddler room, and 10:1 in the pre-kindergarten room. Staff are long-tenured, many holding degrees or certificates in early childhood education, and every staff member is certified in both First Aid and CPR. Operational hours run Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (the school lists closing at 5:00 p.m. on its own site, while third-party listings note 5:30 p.m.); the center is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Parents provide morning and afternoon snacks plus a packed lunch, and a voluntary grace is said before both snack and lunch — though the school explicitly notes that religious doctrine is not part of the program. The center is accredited by the International Accreditation of Child Care Education Programming and Teaching (IACCEPT) and licensed (License #965) by the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs. Director Theresa Zick can be reached at [email protected] or 434-984-1070 for tours, enrollment, and employment inquiries.
- In business
- Over 40 years (serving Charlottesville community since at least the early 1980s); Director Theresa Zick has led the center for over 15 years.
- Serves
- Charlottesville, Virginia and surrounding Albemarle County communities (Barclay Place Court / 22901 area)
- Rating
- 3 reviews on MapQuest/Yelp (mixed; recent reviews on locality aggregator describe caring teachers and a happy child, with one older negative review)
Mission & Philosophy
Old Dominion Day School describes its mission as helping every child bring out the best in themselves. Educators promote both academic and social development through play-based learning, encouraging children to become more independent and creative as they grow. The center's overarching goal is to ensure each child is given an opportunity to learn and express themselves every day so that they feel comfortable and excited to attend kindergarten after graduation.
- Play-based learning model
- Academic and social development equally emphasized
- Independence and creativity encouraged
- Daily kindergarten-readiness focus
Our Center & History
Old Dominion Day School is described on its own website as 'one of the oldest childcare centers in Charlottesville,' having served the community for over 40 years. The facility is licensed through the Virginia Department of Social Services, and every staff member holds current First-Aid and CPR certification. The school notes that it is always looking forward to new families coming through its doors.
- Over 40 years of continuous operation in Charlottesville
- Licensed by Virginia DSS — License #965
- Approved licensed capacity: 75 children
- All staff First-Aid and CPR certified
Ages and Classrooms
Old Dominion Day School serves children from 6 weeks to 5 years and 11 months across five classrooms organized by age and developmental stage. Each room is led by credentialed long-term staff and follows student-to-teacher ratios suited to the age group.
- Infants — ages 6 weeks to 16 months
- Toddlers — ages 16 to 24 months
- Two's — ages 24 to 36 months
- Three's — ages 3 to 4 years
- Junior Kindergarten — ages 4 to 5 years (up to 5 years 11 months)
Accreditation & Licensing
The center holds two key credentials: it is licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services as a Child Day Center (License #965, District Office — Division of Licensing Programs, licensor Amy Tomblin) and it is accredited by the International Accreditation of Child Care Education Programming and Teaching (IACCEPT). Inspection reports from DSS are publicly listed on state childcare portals.
- Virginia DSS Child Day Center License #965
- IACCEPT accreditation
- Public DSS inspection history available
Staff & Leadership
Director Theresa Zick has led Old Dominion Day School for over 15 years and has been part of the Charlottesville community for over 15 years. The center employs long-term staff, many of whom possess degrees and/or certificates in early childhood education. Every staff member is First-Aid and CPR certified.
- Director: Theresa Zick (15+ years with the school)
- Long-tenured teaching staff
- Early-childhood degrees and certificates common
- First-Aid and CPR certification across the team
Daily Operations & Meals
The center is open Monday through Friday, with Saturday and Sunday closed. Parents provide a morning snack, an afternoon snack, and a packed lunch for their child; the school does not prepare or supply food. A voluntary grace is said before both snack and lunch, though the center is explicit that religious doctrine is not incorporated into the program.
- Parent-supplied snacks and lunch (labeled and ready-to-eat)
- Voluntary pre-meal grace
- No religious doctrine in the program
- Closings and weather delays posted on the website Home Page and via parent text messages
Enrollment & Visiting
Families can request a tour or begin enrollment by contacting the school directly. The 'Apply' page lists the documents needed before a child's first day: a registration form, an Infant Formula Record (for infants), and the Commonwealth of Virginia School Entrance Health Form (Parts I through III).
- Call 434-984-1070 or email [email protected]
- Registration Form
- Infant Formula Record (if applicable)
- Commonwealth of Virginia School Entrance Health Form (Parts I–III)
Careers
Old Dominion Day School notes on its homepage that it welcomes applications from people interested in pursuing a career in childcare. Inquiries about employment can be made through the website's 'Apply' / careers section or by contacting the director directly.
- Open to childcare-career applicants
- Apply through the website or contact the director