Trump administration’s proposal would also eliminate classroom ratios and group-size limits, reduce requirements for serving children with disabilities and multilingual learners and cap administrative spending for the program.

It would cost nearly $1.7 billion to expand access to subsidized childcare in Virginia and pay early childhood educators more, according to a new study. The new research comes as the commonwealth recently took steps to fund — and clear — the waitlist for one popular program. But experts and advocates say that the waitlist is only one indicator of demand for subsidized childcare.

A new survey finds 3 in 4 U.S. voters say the cost of childcare is a major problem — and it’s among reasons affordability is a top issue this election year. For parents who pay for childcare, more than a third say it’s one of their top two expenses, according to a poll commissioned by the First Five Years Fund, which advocates for expanding early learning and care.

In most schools, substitute teachers are commonplace. Finding temporary teachers to fill in at childcare centers is a bit more complicated. But a new pilot program helps daycares in the Richmond region hire qualified substitutes through an app.

Have you heard about VPM’s “When, Then - 90by5” early childhood messaging campaign? Since the campaign expanded into Charlottesville earlier this year, the campaign has connected 107,000 parents and caregivers to helpful resources, such as interactive games, activities, posters and other educational content. But what is the 90by5 campaign and why is it important? “The name 90by5 reflects the fact that 90% of a child’s brain develops by age 5,” said Mary Jo Grieve, VPM’s Director of Early Childhood Care and Education. “The "When, Then" message reinforces a simple idea: When parents and caregivers engage with young children through everyday interactions, then those children build the skills they need to succeed in school and in life.”