Richmond, VA – Today, the Shovel Ready Virginia Task Force released a landmark report outlining actionable recommendations to address persistent gaps in the Commonwealth’s child care supply – specifically in physical infrastructure and early educator workforce development. Launched in 2024 for the Virginia Business Roundtable for Early Education (VBREE), the Task Force convened senior business, economic development, higher education, and philanthropic leaders from across the state to tackle one of Virginia’s most pressing economic and quality-of-life challenges.

“Child care is as essential to Virginia’s economy as roads, broadband, and housing,” said Mike Chinn, Task Force Co-Chair, Chair of VBREE and Partner with Endicott Capital. “Access to child care is critical to maximizing workforce participation and worker productivity. Virginia’s economic growth and long-term competitiveness depend on a robust and accessible child care system.”

Despite growing demand from working families and increasing public investment, many Virginia communities – rural and urban alike – continue to face significant shortages in affordable, high-quality child care. These shortages hinder workforce participation, especially for women, jeopardize economic development gains, and limit the Commonwealth’s ability to meet its full economic potential.

The Shovel Ready Virginia Task Force’s recommendations focus on three core pillars:

1. Promote child care as essential to Virginia’s modern economy and quality of life priorities

2. Accelerate the expanded supply of classrooms, sites, and environments to deliver game-changing childcare services

3. Substantially upgrade the capabilities within the child care industry and the stature of the early educator profession.

“Child care enables parents to work and support their families. It also undergirds all other industries by delivering a strong current and future workforce, making it a clear business and economic development priority,” said Jason El Koubi, Task Force Co-Chair and President & CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. “To compete and grow, Virginia must invest in the foundational systems that support working families and enable talent to thrive. Success starts with child care.”

The report emphasizes the urgent need for policy action and a sustainable funding strategy to expand access. The Task Force also calls for increased collaboration between public and private sectors to accelerate progress, including employer-supported models, smart integration of child care into housing and infrastructure projects and tools to enhance the business viability of the child care industry.

A Call to Action

The Task Force is now urging state leaders and candidates to take decisive action to implement the report’s recommendations. VBREE will steward implementation of the strategy, but the Task Force notes that achieving full impact will require broad engagement from leaders across sectors, regions and political lines.

“This is a moment of opportunity for Virginia,” added Chinn. “If we act boldly and collaboratively, we can build a stronger child care system – one that powers our workforce, boosts our economy and uplifts every community in the Commonwealth.”

Shovel Ready Task Force co-chairs are Jason El Koubi, VEDP and Mike Chinn, Endicott Capital. Members include Richard Bynum, PNC Bank; Debbie DiCroce, Hampton Roads Community Foundation; David Dore, VCCS; Linda Fremouw, Bridging Virginia; Linda Green, SVRA; Cathie Vick, Virginia Chamber; and Sonya Waddell, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

View the full report and learn more about the Task Force’s recommendations HERE.

Read an summary of the report HERE