By WMAL.com
On Thursday, Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin celebrated the state’s privately run preschool system that is supported by the publicly funded childcare subsidy program. In a visit to the River’s Bend Children’s Center, Youngkin signed the Child Care and Early Childhood Professionals Day Proclamation to recognize and celebrate the contributions of early childhood educators.
“The early childhood public-private choice system we are building has the potential to be the model for the nation,” said Governor Youngkin. “Early childhood education and care is critical to our youngest learners and their families. These educators are the workforce that supports the Commonwealth’s workforce, and we thank them today and every day. When our children are getting ready for kindergarten, they are getting ready for life.”
Startlingly, 42% of children across the Commonwealth begin kindergarten without key skills in literacy, numeracy, self-regulation, social skills, or a combination of the measures. In response, Governor Youngkin’s Administration has prioritized increasing access and choice, strengthening quality to support kindergarten readiness, and using data to improve impact in early childhood education and care.
“The Governor and I know that parents are our children’s first and most important teachers,” said First Lady Youngkin. “But they cannot do this all alone. They rely on family, friends, communities, and, importantly, early childhood education and care. We’re honored to help celebrate the Commonwealth’s child care and early childhood educators, who are making all the difference.”’
The celebration served as another example of Governor Youngkin’s commitment to providing parent’s in the Commonwealth with more choices for what best fits their child’s educational needs.
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