RICHMOND, Va. — “An investment that builds for the future," is how Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin describes a new plan for early education across the state.
The governor described several key strategies of the "Building Blocks for Families" initiative, tackling everything from childcare deserts, teacher retention, and the high cost of early education.
“It’s not time to be timid, it’s time to be bold,” Youngkin said at a news conference in Richmond Thursday. “There is nothing more important than ensuring a quality education for our children.”
The plan starts with a $448 million annual investment in early education, making sure every low-income family continues to have access to early childhood and after-school programs - opportunities not always covered by public school funding.
Glenn Youngkin announces new early-education plan for Virginia
“Every dollar spent on high-quality child care for disadvantaged children nets a 13% return on investment every single year of their life,” said Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Rogstad Guidera.
Building Blocks for Families also introduces a unique childcare payment system: every Virginia family with a child under the age of 5 will get a digital wallet, making it easier for employers, governments, and philanthropists to help pay for, and support, the youngest of learners.
Eliminating childcare deserts is also a priority for the Governor. $25 million will go toward refurbishing spaces at Virginia colleges and universities that will become early learning hubs.
To address early learning teacher shortages, the plan will invest $10 million annually in incentives, money that will go directly to teachers to increase retention.