Your child may be eligible to attend one
or more government-sponsored programs.
Brain Development
A child’s brain experiences the most rapid period of development during the first five years of life. Connections made during this time form the basis upon which all future learning takes place.
Lifetime Advantage
Children who receive quality early learning are at a significant advantage in school, work and life.
Early learning is the best way to give all Virginians an equal opportunity to succeed by providing access to high-quality programs.
Equal Opportunity
Virginia must prioritize early learning to ensure that all children get access to quality early learning and have an equal opportunity to succeed. Investment in early learning is the best way to give all children the social, emotional and educational foundation they need for a lifetime of success.
Investing in Our Future
Children with quality early learning backgrounds are the future workforce of Virginia. Children with skills needed for future employment contribute to the overall success of a business as well as the local and state economy. This may be the best investment a state can make in terms of generating a lifetime return on investment.
Recent Success
In 2020, Virginia passed landmark legislation establishing a long-term vision and plan for early childhood programs. The Board of Education is required to establish a unified public-private system for early learning programs. A key component is that all early childhood programs will be consolidated at the Virginia Department of Education. Quality ratings will be developed for all preschool programs by 2022.
