Preschool

Preparing Children for Kindergarten and Beyond

Quality Preschool Education in Virginia

For young children, preschool is often the first opportunity for observation of  school-readiness activities and skills. High-quality preschool programs provide a foundation for learning and prepare students for success in kindergarten and beyond. School-readiness activities in high-quality preschools focus on physical, motor and social and emotional development. 

Virginia's Quality Birth to Five System (VQB5) helps ensure all children have access to quality early learning experiences. Through VQB5, early childhood programs receive regular feedback and support to provide the best possible care and education for young children. Families can view VQB5 Quality Profiles for early childhood programs. These profiles show how well programs support children's learning through quality teaching practices and curriculum use.

Video: High-Quality Preschool Seen Through the Eyes of a Child

In addition to preschool programs operating through public schools, Virginia certifies preschool programs operated through accredited private schools. Find Virginia certified preschools. Locate Virginia public school divisions and schools.

Virginia provides resources to improve the quality and expand access to preschool programs for at-risk and special-needs children.

Preschool Programs for At-Risk Children

Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI)

VPI is a program that distributes state funds to schools and community-based organizations to provide high-quality preschool programs for at-risk four-year-olds not served by Head Start. The purpose of the program is to reduce disparities among children entering kindergarten and to reduce or eliminate those risk factors that may lead to early academic failure.

Head Start and Early Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start are federal programs that promote school readiness for children birth to age five. Head Start is a child-centered, family focused, comprehensive and community-based program providing high quality services to promote academic, physical, social and emotional development for income-eligible children and their families. Local Head Start programs are funded directly by the federal Office of Head Start. Also visit Virginia Head Start Association.

Special Education for Preschool-Aged Children

Early Childhood Special Education

Early Childhood Special Education provides services for preschool-aged children from age two through five with identified disabilities or developmental delays. Educators, along with the child's family, develop an individualized education program (IEP) with goals and objectives to meet the child’s developmental needs.

Additional Resources

Also refer to Early Childhood Standards & Instructional Supports for early childhood professional standards, instruction practices and professional development resources.

Outside Resources

• Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP)
• Virginia Literacy Program (VLP)
• School Bus Transportation of Pre-School-Aged Children – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.