Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond | Early Childhood School Readiness

Child Care Task Force

A Public / Private Partnership

The Richmond Region Child Care Task Force is a partnership of public and private organizations, from government and public schools, to child care and out of school time partners in Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield and Henrico.

The RVA Basics Campaign

Working With Parents & Caregivers

Promoting everyday interactions between children, their parents, and other caregivers in the first three years of development to provide abundant learning opportunities that give children from every background a more equal start in life.

Supporting Locality Groups

Research, Reports, Results

Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond provides information and data about early childhood demographics, risk factors and emerging trends so that our region can better understand the challenges faced by our families with young children.

Quarterly SBGR Coalition Meetings

Smart Beginnings works with more than 100+ partner organizations on a daily basis. Quarterly, we come together to discuss what’s going on in the sector, challenges, successes, barriers and make connections. Those meetings for 2021 will be:

March 17, 2021: Virtual Coalition Meeting Register!
June 10, 2021: Virtual Coalition Meeting Register!
September 16, 2021: Location TBD
December 9, 2021: Location TBD

Learn More about the SBGR Coalition

Ready Regions

Check out the new Ready Regions for Smart Beginnings (PDF) launched by VECF.

Ready Regions

News You Can Use

Childcare shortage affecting job force as more and more parents head back to the office, there is a skyrocketing demand for child care.

Governor Northam Signs Legislation Creating Tuition-Free Community College Program for Low- and Middle-Income Students

State superintendent announces $1 million grant to research the impact of the pandemic on Virginia’s schools

Boldly Reimagining Virginia’s Early Childhood Education System

Early Childhood Advocacy Opportunities

Sign the petition to declare racism as a public health crisis in Virginia
PDF of the Governor’s early childhood budget plan and Blog on the Governor’s budget
A short video from Voices for Virginia’s Children sharing early childhood talking points and Legislative Agenda
Show support for the Virginia Promise Partnership and view their 2021 General Assembly Policy Positions
Child Care Aware of VA public policy agenda brief
Bill Explainer – child care stabilization and true cost of quality bill
How can you help Virginia children and families? By supporting funding for early education. Text: VAEARLYED to 52886 to contact your legislator

Text VAEARLYED to 52886

Smart Beginnings Locality Groups

Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond supports six locality groups. Their individual missions are closely aligned with the Virginia Department of Education. Each coalition strives to assist children and families with developing foundational skills and providing resources to help promote student success in kindergarten and beyond.

Learn More

Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond - Why Every Day Counts

Brain Growth from 0-3 Years Old

Days From Birth to Kindergarten

Children 0-5 with All Parents Working

Children 0-5 in Low-Income Families