Woodstock child care ‘hub’ approved

The second floor of The Community Campus offers a stunning view of Mount Tom. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A new Woodstock nonprofit has become one of 23 child care "hubs" approved in Vermont, as part of the state’s effort to help families needing child care for school-aged children on remote learning days.

This state program is expected to serve at least 6,000 children after more locations get the green light this month. Using funding approved by the Legislature, each child care hub receives assistance with start-up costs. 

The newly approved Woodstock hub is The Community Campus (TCC), a nonprofit located on Route 12 at the base of Mount Tom. TCC, serving children in grades K-7, provides academic support and creative enrichment opportunities on remote learning days and after school. Its first day of operation was Sept. 8. TCC shares a building with the Rainbow Playschool. The two operate in separate parts of the building, and a few spaces are shared, though used at different times.

Vermont’s child care hub program has grown in recent weeks as the state has pushed to approve more sites. Earlier this month, Human Services Secretary Mike Smith said his team is paying particular attention to regions that need these services most, including southern Bennington County, Windham County and portions of central Vermont. 

"I'm pretty happy with the roll out, based on what we've done in a fairly short time," Smith said on Sept. 11. "I can't stress enough how much people have worked tremendously to get this system up and running." 

— Gareth Henderson