In 2020, the General Assembly passed significant legislation establishing a unified system for early childhood education in Virginia. The legislation was aimed largely at providing access for our most educationally at-risk three and four year olds. The key elements of the bill are:
- The Board of Education will develop an overarching unified system for early childhood education in Virginia.
- The Board of Education will establish a uniform quality rating and improvement system by the Fall of 2023 in which all publically funded programs must participate.
- Make pathways into the profession more affordable.
- All early childhood programs are now consolidated under the Department of Education to provide one source of oversight and accountability.