Resources
Resources
What’s New
Intentional daily interactions with children are the focus of VPM’s new 90by5 messaging campaign
February 18, 2025
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VPM
Did you know that 90% of a child's brain develops by the age of 5? This is why it’s so important for children to have early, positive interactions that make a lasting difference in their lives. VPM is excited to partner with the Robins Foundation and Thrive Birth to Five to launch a new initiative that stresses the importance and value of a child’s earliest days of learning for overall family wellbeing.
Empowering Childcare: Dr. DeShonda Jennings on Transforming Early Education and Building Stronger Communities
February 2, 2025
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Sheen Magazine
Dr. DeShonda Jennings is redefining what it means to be an advocate for children and families. With a legacy rooted in passion, education, and empowerment, this trailblazing childcare expert has touched lives across the globe as a business owner, coach, author, and international speaker. From founding DJ Shining Stars Daycare LLC® to mentoring countless childcare providers, Dr. Jennings has dedicated her career to transforming early education and creating sustainable futures for families and educators alike.
Virginia childcare providers can’t hire staff due to background check delays: 'When is it going to be fixed?'
January 27, 2025
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WTVR
Several Central Virginia childcare directors and owners told CBS 6 they have been waiting weeks or months for the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) to process job candidates' fingerprint background checks, which is hindering the hiring of much-needed staff.
Thrive Birth to Five works to secure quality early childhood education for Emporia-Greensville
November 29, 2024
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Independent Messenger
Accessible, affordable child care is a critical need in Emporia-Greensville and across the commonwealth. Thrive Birth to Five is leading the charge to bring quality early childhood education to the area.
Freeze on subsidized child care spots leaves families, providers in limbo
September 30, 2024
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VPM
Thousands of children are stuck on waitlists. Last year, child care experts predicted tens of thousands of children in Virginia would lose access to child care when federal funding that had been subsidizing care for thousands of low-income families during the COVID-19 pandemic expired in the summer of 2024.
Virginia Business Roundtable for Early Education (VBREE) (opens in new window)
The Virginia Business Roundtable for Early Education (“VBREE” or “the Roundtable”) was founded in 2023 with the belief that Virginia’s prosperity and quality of life are inextricably dependent upon a strong early childhood education system. A nonprofit, nonpartisan initiative of the VECF board of directors, VBREE’s mission is to sustain and grow, through strategic financing, the supply of high quality, affordable and accessible child care, driving critical and multi-faceted benefits for the Commonwealth. VBREE is committed to educating the public, engaging diverse stakeholders, and driving innovation for the crucial role that accessible child care serves in Virginia’s workforce development and economy, including as a differentiator for Virginia in economic development, site selection, and workforce talent attraction and retention. VBREE strives to secure the increased investment and policy improvements needed for the Commonwealth’s best-in-class early education system to sustain its standing as the best state to live, work, and raise a family.
Virginia Promise in Action (opens in new window)
Virginia Promise in Action is a bipartisan 501(c)(4) organization focused on building the political will necessary to advance effective policy improvements and increase investment in Virginia’s child care system. Alongside their companion organization, the Virginia Promise Partnership, Virginia Promise in Action is leading a campaign to achieve the goal of ensuring all Virginia families have access to quality, affordable child care by 2030.
Virginia Promise Partnership (opens in new window)
The Virginia Promise Partnership is a coalition of leading organizations working together to achieve the bold goal of ensuring all Virginia families have access to affordable, quality child care by 2030, regardless of income.
Voices for Virginia's Children (opens in new window)
Voices for Virginia’s Children is the commonwealth’s only independent, multi-issue child policy and advocacy organization. They are focused on children whose needs are often overlooked, concentrating our efforts on policies in early childhood, foster care and adoption, health and mental health, and family economic security.
Register for an Observer Interest Session (opens in new window)
Register to attend an Observer Interest Session
Measuring Quality Interactions (opens in new window)
The quality of interactions between teachers and children is measured in VQB5 through use of the nationally recognized Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). In VQB5, over 30,000 CLASS observations are completed annually in over 10,000 infant, toddler and preschool classrooms, including family day homes. This provides educators with frequent and actionable feedback to guide improvement.
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