Early childhood governance refers to the organization of government entities and the distribution of authority and accountability for administering programs and services that support young children and their families. Across the US, state approaches to early childhood governance vary widely.

A new report from the Virginia Business Roundtable on Early Education is urging major changes to the state's childcare system as families prepare for back-to-school season while facing significant challenges finding affordable, quality care.

With federal funds from the American Rescue Plan gone, some states have established trust funds dedicated to early care and education.

Launched in 2024 to support Virginia Business Roundtable for Early Education (VBREE) efforts, the Shovel Ready Virginia Task Force sought to more deeply understand the root causes of persistent gaps in child care supply, specifically in (1) the physical spaces (environments, classrooms, and facilities) and (2) an early educator pipeline. After conducting a 12-month exploration of strategies and solutions that specifically address these gaps, the Task Force has endorsed this report outlining recommendations to advance its priorities for child care progress across all regions in Virginia.

Child care is essential to our families, workforce, and economy—but the current system is failing on all fronts. In this new report, Child Care Aware® of America and the Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska assess the state of the child care market, highlight the barriers holding back progress, and lay out suggestions to build a stronger, more sustainable future.