2021/22 School Year Programs
Providing safe, structured, fun environments for children who are surrounded and supported by adults who care about them. Child care programs during the school year, school breaks, and summer camps are offered for children from PreK - 8th grade.
Service Reduction Notice: Due to staffing shortages, childcare programs are not currently being offered at Recreation Centers. 

Program Overview

​Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation has a 50+ year track record for providing safe, structured environments where children are surrounded and supported by adults who care about them. We understand the importance of recreation for children to be their best self, socially, emotionally, and physically. Our fun and educational activities stimulate the children and help them reach cognitive developmental milestones. 

Our program aims to provide children with the skills that allow them to better manage stress and maintain resiliency. These programs are exempt from licensure under state code § 63.2-1715, and run concurrently with the school operating calendar. A Parks & Recreation Fee Waiver is applicable for these programs.​​​

All participants of our School Year Childcare Programs receive a Virginia Beach Recreation Center membership that is valid from September 1 - August 31 of that school year.

 ‭(Hidden)‬ Safe Learning Centers

 Early Childhood

Licensed Early Childhood Programs

Our licensed Preschool and PreK programs encourage creativity and independence while developing literacy, language development, problem-solving, reasoning, and gross and fine motor skills in a safe environment. These programs are licensed and regulated by the Virginia Department of Social Services Licensing Division. Children must be fully potty trained. Snacks are provided however, children will need to bring their lunch daily. These programs operate September 7th – August 31st. Your child will receive a Virginia Beach Recreation Center membership valid from September 1 – August 31st once enrollment is complete. A Parks & Recreation Fee Waiver is applicable to these programs.

● Preschool: 2.5 – 4 years old*                                 ●PreK: 4 – 5 years old
● Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.                                       ●Monthly Cost: $682 (full fee) $341 (reduced fee)
● Recreation Center Locations: Bow Creek, Kempsville, Princess Anne*, Williams Farm
*Princess Anne Recreation Center provides Preschool programs for 3-year-old participants only

​
 ​*NEW* at Princess Anne Early Childhood Program | The Exploratorium
The Exploratorium is a dedicated space where children are provided hands-on, play-based experiences and awarded the opportunity to explore, problem-solve, and create in the areas of S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) This room features awesome activities such as:
  • Science Exploration Table
  • Coding Activities
  • Engineering Magnet Wall
  • Make & Take Art Area
  • Math Games
We are excited to help children to develop a strong foundation for future learning by exploring STEAM skills and concepts through play.

How to Register

Please review the program eligibility requirements indicated above. Online registration is available July 17th – August 22nd. If interested in enrollment once online registration is no longer available, please complete the School Year 2021/22 Interest Form, and a Registration Management Team member will follow up with you in 24-48 hours.

Required Registration Forms and Documents

Important Notes About ePACT

Parks & Rec is using ePACT to replace our paper registration form(s), consents, and waivers used to collect critical childcare related information while your child is in our programs. 

You will receive an e-mail invitation from ePACT upon completion of enrollment requesting you to create an account. Invitations are sent out after 9pm on the day enrollment is completed. You must accept the invitation and complete the steps to share your child’s records with us in order to attend. 

Once the steps above are completed and you have shared your child’s record with us through ePACT, a confirmation email will be sent to you with important program details and a payment schedule. Until you receive this e-mail from us, your child’s enrollment is not complete, and they cannot attend the program. For more information, visit ePACT.

Need Help Paying for PreSchool?

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation is a proud to participate in EVMS' Minus 9 to 5 program. This program aims to help three and four-year-olds in Hampton Roads receive free tuition through Mixed Delivery Grant Funding. Click here to learn more about the program. 

(Online registration closed Aug. 22, 2021)


 Before School

Before School

High-Quality, affordable, and easy-access Before School programs are offered at various Virginia Beach City Public Elementary and Middle Schools. Programs are exempt from licensure under state code § 63.2-1715, and run concurrently with the school operating calendar. Participants receive a Virginia Beach Recreation Center membership valid from September 1 - August 31 of that school year. A Parks & Recreation Fee Waiver is applicable to these programs. 

Note: If your child attends ODS during the school day, they will no longer be able to attend our before-school programs at their designated home school. Due to the staffing requirements to facilitate those transfers, we are unable to offer that service.

​KidzQuest  | Kindergarten – 5th graders enrolled at the following schools

Locations: Brookwood, Centerville, Cooke, Creeds, Glenwood, Green Run, Hermitage, Indian Lakes, Kempsville, Kempsville Meadows, Kings Grant, Kingston, Landstown, Linkhorn Park, New Castle, Newtown, North Landing, Pembroke Meadows, Point O’View, Princess Anne, Rosemont Forest, Salem, Strawbridge, Tallwood, Thoroughgood, Three Oaks, White Oaks, Woodstock

Monthly Cost: $148 (full fee) $74 (reduced fee); $65 non-refundable, non-transferrable registration fee is due to secure your child’s space

Hours: 6:30 am – school begins 

How to Register:

Please review the program eligibility requirements indicated above. Online registration is available July 17th – August 22nd. If interested in enrollment once online registration is no longer available, please complete the School Year 2021/22 Interest Form and a Registration Management Team member will follow-up with you in 24-48 hours. 

Important Notes About ePACT

Parks & Rec is using ePACT to replace our paper registration form(s), consents, and waivers used to collect critical childcare related information while your child is in our programs. 

You will receive an e-mail invitation from ePACT upon completion of enrollment requesting you to create an account. Invitations are sent out after 9pm on the day enrollment is completed. You must accept the invitation and complete the steps to share your child’s records with us in order to attend. 

Once the steps above are completed and you have shared your child’s record with us through ePACT, a confirmation email will be sent to you with important program details and a payment schedule. Until you receive this e-mail from us, your child’s enrollment is not complete, and they cannot attend the program. 

Once the steps above are completed and you have shared your child’s record with us through ePACT, a confirmation email will be sent to you with important program details and a payment schedule. Until you receive this e-mail from us, your child’s enrollment is not complete, and they cannot attend the program. For more information, visit ePACT.


(Online registration closed Aug. 22, 2021)

 After School

After School

Our program aims to provide children with the skills that allow them to better manage stress and maintain resiliency. These programs are exempt from licensure under state code § 63.2-1715 and run concurrently with the school operating calendar. Participants receive a Virginia Beach Recreation Center membership valid from September 1 - August 31 of that school year. A Parks & Recreation Fee Waiver is applicable for our KidzQuest & RISE programs.

Note: If your child attends ODS during the school day, you may register for our KidzQuest after-school program at ODS or our Recreation Center after-school program from ODS, on a first-come/first-served basis. Due to the staffing requirements to facilitate transfers, we are no longer able to accommodate students being dropped off at our KidzQuest and/or RISE programs offered at their home schools. 

KidzQuest  | Kindergarten – 5th graders enrolled at the following schools

Locations: Alanton, Arrowhead, Centerville, Christopher Farms, Cooke, Corporate Landing, Creeds, Fairfield, Glenwood, Hermitage, Indian Lakes, John B. Dey, Kempsville, Kempsville Meadows, King's Grant, Kingston, Landstown, Linkhorn Park, Malibu, New Castle, North Landing, Ocean Lakes, ODS, Pembroke, Pembroke Meadows, Princess Anne, Providence, Red Mill, Rosemont Forest, Salem, Shelton Park, Strawbridge, Tallwood, Thalia, Thoroughgood, Three Oaks, Trantwood, White Oaks, Windsor Oaks, Windsor Woods, Woodstock (locations subject to change)

RISE | Kindergarten – 5th graders enrolled at the following schools 

Locations: Bayside, Bettie F. Williams, Birdneck, Brookwood, College Park, Diamond Springs, Green Run, Holland, Luxford, Lynnhaven, Newtown, Parkway, Point O’View, Rosemont, Seatack (locations subject to change)

Monthly Cost: $248 (full fee) $124 (reduced fee); $65 non-refundable, non-transferrable registration fee is due to secure your child’s space

Hours: school dismissal – 6 pm 

Recreation Center | Kindergarten – 5th graders enrolled at the following schools 

Locations: Virginia Beach City Public Schools will provide transportation to our recreation centers below from the corresponding schools  
  • Bayside Recreation Center: Hermitage, ODS, Shelton Park, Thoroughgood
  • Great Neck Recreation Center: Alanton, John B. Dey, ODS, Trantwood
  • Kempsville Recreation Center: Indian Lakes, Kempsville, Kempsville Meadows, ODS, Providence
  • Princess Anne Recreation Center: Princess Anne, ODS, Strawbridge, Three Oaks
Hours: school dismissal – 6 pm

Monthly Cost: $348; $65 non-refundable, non-transferable registration fee is due to secure your child’s space

How to Register:

Please review the program eligibility requirements indicated above. Online registration is available July 17th – August 22nd. If interested in enrollment once online registration is no longer available, please complete the School Year 2021/22 Interest Form and a Registration Management Team member will follow-up with you in 24-48 hours.

Important Notes About ePACT

Parks & Rec is using ePACT to replace our paper registration form(s), consents, and waivers used to collect critical childcare related information while your child is in our programs. 

You will receive an e-mail invitation from ePACT upon completion of enrollment requesting you to create an account. Invitations are sent out after 9pm on the day enrollment is completed. You must accept the invitation and complete the steps to share your child’s records with us in order to attend. 

Once the steps above are completed and you have shared your child’s record with us through ePACT, a confirmation email will be sent to you with important program details and a payment schedule. Until you receive this e-mail from us, your child’s enrollment is not complete, and they cannot attend the program.

Once the steps above are completed and you have shared your child’s record with us through ePACT, a confirmation email will be sent to you with important program details and a payment schedule. Until you receive this e-mail from us, your child’s enrollment is not complete, and they cannot attend the program. For more information, visit ePACT.

(Online registration closed Aug. 22, 2021)

 School Break Camps

School Break Camps

Need care when VBCPS is closed for staff days, winter and spring break and we’re open? We have you covered on the dates indicated below.

Eligibility: Kindergarten – 5th graders currently enrolled in our school-age before and/or after school program(s)  

Hours: 6:30am – 6pm

Recreation Center locations: Bayside, Bow Creek, Great Neck, Kempsville, Princess Anne

All Day Break

Dates: 
  • September 7, 8
  • November 24
  • December 22, 23, 28, 29, 30
  • February 1, 21
  • March 14
(subject to change)

Cost: $40/day 

Note: Online registration is available until 5pm for the following Monday. Same-day registration is available for eligible participants by phone between the hours of 8am – 5:30pm.

Spring Break (April 11-15)

Cost: $178


 Payments, Refunds & Cancellations

Payments, Refunds & Cancellations

Most of our programs and camps require a non-refundable, non-transferable registration fee and/or deposit at registration. The monthly or weekly balances are due according to the dates indicated on the program payment schedule. Any past due balance(s) must be paid in full before you can register for any Parks & Recreation Program or Service. 

Payment Policy: If the monthly or weekly balance is not received by the due dates indicated on the program payment schedule, your child will be withdrawn from that session and/or week.

Payment Schedules:

Refund & Cancellation Policy: Requests should be submitted in writing to OSTRegistration@vbgov.com at least 7 days prior to the start date to be eligible for a refund, minus any non-refundable fees. Requests submitted less than 7 days but prior to the start date are eligible for 50% of a refund. Approved refunds will be processed back to the appropriate payer and payment method.
  • Cash refunds are subject to availability of funds at any recreation center
  • Check refunds can take up to 30 days to be received
  • Credit Card refunds should post in 2-3 business days 

Contact Information 

Registration Management
8am – 6pm, Monday – Friday (phone payments accepted from 8am – 5:30pm)
757-385-0402 (direct) 757-471-2330 (fax)
OSTRegistration@vbgov.com​​​​​​​

 Reviews

Preschool Buddies at Kempsville Recreation Center

"The level of education that my son received while under your care was remarkable. It takes a special person to be a teacher with the patience and skills needed to handle toddlers and young children, while also effectively delivering knowledge. The benefits my son is reaping from his previous education with your program are very noticeable. He is in kindergarten at the age of 5 and is now being taught things that he learned in your program at the age of 3."
- Gloria F.

Preschool Buddies at Princess Anne Recreation Center

"Trust is extremely important to our family. As a whole, the staff at Princess Anne have taken such good care of our daughter. We had an opportunity to go to preschool for free, but because of the wonderful experience we have enjoyed, we ha ve chosen to keep our daughter here. The staff always have a smile, are very affectionate, and show true care and dedication."
- Catrina W.

Kinderbuddies at Glenwood Elementary

"We wanted to take a moment to make you aware of how appreciative we are for the Kinderbuddies program. We are a two parent/two child household. We don't have to tell you how expensive childcare is in this area, but paying for childcare for our 6 year old and an infant is no small bill. We have generally felt ripped off by the whole 'daycare' system.  However, with Kinderbuddies this is the first time we can honestly say we got our money's worth. The peace of mind we had due to our son remaining at his elementary school and not being transported to a center in the middle of the day was worth the $100/week. The program was enriching, fun and educational. Our lead teacher Antoinette was phenomenal."
- Devail and Nikki E.

Kinderbuddies at Princess Anne Recreation Center

"My son was enrolled in the morning program. He always looked forward to going and has learned so much.  If he was offered, I'm sure he would have stayed all day.  He loved all of the counselors, and I think you have a great program.  One of the best experiences yet with Parks and Rec. I just wanted to thank you because I never had to deal with dropping off an unhappy kid, worrying what he was doing, or how he was being cared for. Thanks for a great program. "
- Renee S.

Kinderbuddies at Thalia Elementary

"While at school, my child spends much of the day in Kinderbuddies. She loves all her teachers, but when asked to pick her favorite, she chose Ms. Candance. She is patient with my daughter and makes learning fun. I am so glad she has a safe, fun learning environment that I can trust her to be in." 
- Allison G.

KidzQuest Before School Program at White Oaks Elementary

"Mrs. Waters is a bright light of sunshine in the mornings. She greets students and parents with her warm smile and compassionate heart. She always offers to help the students as well as encouraging them to do their best. Many children gravitate toward her. She embodies devotion and enthusiasm. Her acts of selflessness are always appreciated by many parents."
- Stephanie A.

Windsor Woods Elementary After School Program

"My daughter loves attending this program so much that I receive scowls and dirty looks from her when I arrive too early to pick her up from the afterschool program. The leaders are fun, loving, kind and caring. They treat children and parents with the utmost respect and kindness. They are angels. I know that when I am at work, my child is looked after and cared for." 
- Jessica G.

Fairfield Elementary After School Program

"The Fairfield Elementary School afterschool staff have continuously done a great job supporting and encouraging our students. As a teacher and parent at FES, I have seen how well the staff members interact with the students. My students cannot wait to get to afterschool! They truly make a difference in every child's life."
- Michelle S.

RISE After School Program at Seatack Elementary

"Ms. LaVonia is one of the best caregivers in this program. The kids respect her and always have a smile on when she is there. This community is a better one because of her. As a parent, it is nice to know your child is in good hands. "
- Allen B.

Contact Information