Virginia ranks in the middle of states for its enrollment, quality and funding of preschool education, according to a new report.

The report by the National Institute for Early Education Research places Virginia 28th among all U.S. states for this kind of funding. However, when all public spending is considered, Virginia jumps to 18th. In the state, just 3% of three-year-olds and 22% of four-year-olds were enrolled in preschool during the 2024-25 school year.

Allison Gilbreath, senior director of policy and programs for Voices for Virginia’s Children, said educational access and quality often go hand in hand.

"We have to increase our per-pupil investment at the state level," she said. "That is going to get us quality because we're going to pay the true cost of care, and it's also going to increase access when we're able to add additional slots across the state."

Per-pupil spending increased over the last five years from $4,800 in 2020 to more than $6,000 in 2025. But that still lags behind per-pupil spending in 2000, when the Commonwealth spent $6,600 per student.

The 2025 to 2026 Virginia budget is designed to ensure that no family will lose childcare after the end of pandemic-era federal funding, with $366 million allocated to preschools in 2025 and more than $450 million in 2026.

Gilbreath said further investments in preschool education will help parents and the economy.

"We’re expanding how we’re investing in Virginia, but we’re nowhere near the levels that families actually need," she said. "And we know that’s so connected to our economy. Parents can’t work, families can’t work if they don’t have access to childcare."

Some 75% of parents across the Commonwealth report struggling to access preschool or daycare for their children, according to a report by Stanford University.

Source: Public News Service