Virginia Promise Partnership
The Importance of Early Childhood Education
Healthy development in the first five years of life provides the building blocks essential to a child’s long-term success. Experiences and interactions during this critical time directly impact the learning, health, and behavior of individuals for the remainder of their lives.
High-quality child care programs provide environments, experiences, and relationships that promote learning and development to ensure children have a strong start. Those who participate in quality early childhood programs are more likely to finish high school, secure high-paying jobs, avoid incarceration, and lead happy, healthy lives.
The Problem
More must be done to ensure Virginia families can access child care services that meet their needs and preferences. Too many families and child care providers across to the Commonwealth face:
High Costs
An October 2023 Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) report found that the costs of infant and toddler care are considered unaffordable for more than 98% of low-income families with infants or toddlers and 97% of low-income families with preschoolers.
Lack of Access
Approximately half of eligible preschoolers and 90% of eligible infants and toddlers in Virginia lack access to publicly-funded child care as of 2023. The October 2023 JLARC report found that there is an estimated statewide shortage of at least 140,000 infant, toddler, and preschool child care “slots.”
Challenging Cost Structures
Without adequate public investment, many providers are unable to offer competitive compensation to their teachers and staff, leading to high turnover, widespread staffing shortages, and persistent classroom closures. 90% of Virginia child care centers reported challenges with staffing according to a fall 2022 survey.
OUR BOLD GOAL
Our bold goal is to ensure all Virginia families have access to affordable quality child care by 2030, regardless of income. Improving access to quality programs will benefit Virginia’s young children, working families, employers, and communities more broadly.
Children
who participate in quality early childhood programs are more likely to finish high school, secure high-paying jobs, avoid incarceration, and lead happy, healthy lives.
Families
with access to early childhood programs are able to remain in the workforce and benefit from increased earnings, savings, healthcare coverage, and other employment benefits.
Providers
with adequate resources and compensation benefit from gainful employment and lower turnover rates.
Businesses
whose employees have access to quality early childhood programs maintain a steadier and more consistent workforce as well as decreased recruiting costs.