Virginia Beach has taken an innovative approach to workforce development by elevating early childhood education and development into its economic development organization as a dual-generation workforce development strategy. Since 2011, the Department has received regional and national attention for its recognition that the creation of a skilled, educated future workforce begins at birth. We also acknowledge the important role our childcare industry plays in supporting our current workforce.
GrowSmart addresses a dual-generation workforce challenge: supporting today’s workforce and preparing tomorrow’s workforce. We support our current workforce by ensuring we have an adequate supply of early care and learning programs to support working families. We prepare our future workforce by ensuring our youngest residents get the best possible start in life with quality early care environments where they play, grow and learn.
Through an award-winning partnership with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), GrowSmart provides customized business training and mentorship to local small businesses in the childcare and early education industry. The program has impacted more than 5,000 families to date.
GrowSmart helps to improve the quality of early care and education programs so families have multiple options for quality care which enables them to participate in post-secondary education and join the workforce. We connect our child care businesses to quality initiatives, including Virginia’s quality rating and improvement system (VQB5) for early care and education sites. To further support our early care centers in quality, GrowSmart offers LENA GROW professional development/coaching for educators. We also connect the early education workforce to scholarship opportunities, professional development, and education opportunities to grow their career.
Imagine a future with thriving businesses where no one has to choose between career and family. They are supported by a robust, accessible, child care system.
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