The Importance of Early Childhood Care and Education
For children aged birth to five, every day counts. Our vision is that all children in our region will thrive and race, place, and income will no longer determine success in school.
Our Mission
Since 1996, Thrive Birth to Five has collaborated to build our region’s early childhood system and is a trusted steward of early childhood resources for families, providers and the ecosystem supporting them.
Birth to age five is a critical time in every child’s development. As children learn, play, and experience the world, their brains are growing: 90% of a child’s brain develops before age five. Thrive Birth to Five is dedicated to creating an Early Childhood Care and Education system in Central Virginia that gives every child a chance to succeed during these important years.
Thrive Birth to Five partners with providers, families, and organizations throughout the region to strengthen quality, increase accessibility, and expand the capacity of care.
Families & Caregivers
Resources to support families on their journey with children from birth to age five.
Educators & Observers
Learn more about the Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5) initiative.
Advocates & Partners
Local governments, community organizations, business leaders, and other stakeholders benefit from a strong early care system.
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Early Childhood Systems
Thrive Birth to Five is the lead organization for Ready Region Central, bringing strategic leadership of early childhood care and education services to prepare children for success.
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About Us
Thrive Birth to Five is dedicated to building a high-quality early childhood care and education system in Central Virginia through increased quality, access, capacity, and parental choice.
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Resources
Looking for more information? Thrive Birth to Five has gathered resources, data, and information on early childhood, all in one place.
Key News
Child care cost the most in these states in 2024, analysis found
June 3, 2025
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Fox 9
ChildCare Aware of America found the national average price of child care for 2024 was $13,128. It would take 10% of the median income of a married couple with children to afford this national average price, and 35% of a single parent’s.
Decline in preschool access continues in Virginia, despite legislative efforts
May 21, 2025
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Virginia Mercury
Virginia has provided thousands of children access to preschool over a year’s time, but the commonwealth continues to trail other states, which are expanding services and providing more kids a chance at early learning.
Child care isn’t just a family issue — it’s a workforce solution
April 22, 2025
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Cardinal News
Microporous has plans to soon announce the first phase of our Child Care Initiative, a program which will offer grants to help address regional child care needs.
New Bipartisan Poll Demonstrates Virginians View Quality Early Childhood Options as Critical to The State’s Economic Success
March 31, 2025
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VECF
Policies to Increase Access to Child Care Earn Support from Nearly 9 in 10 Voters Across the Political Spectrum in Virginia.
What parts of Virginia are most in favor of increasing access to child care? Rural areas.
March 31, 2025
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Cardinal News
The Virginia Early Childhood Foundation recently commissioned a poll to gauge voters’ views on the need for more and better child care.
Get In Touch
Connect with Thrive Birth to Five to learn more.
