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Mixed Delivery Program 

Building Relationships  •  Increasing Access  •  Strengthening Quality  • Engaging Families  

What is Mixed Delivery?​

Quality early learning experiences are an essential element to preparing children to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. This impact is life-long — children who participate in high-quality early childhood care and education (ECCE) programs are more likely to finish college, get high-paying jobs, and be healthier later in life. VECF’s Mixed Delivery program provides publicly funded ECCE services in licensed (non-faith-based), private ECCE settings for eligible children. It funds full-day, year-round ECCE services for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, meeting growing demand for publicly funded ECCE at private sites that meet the varied needs and preferences of families.  

What is Mixed Delivery for Families?
What is Mixed Delivery for Children?
What is Mixed Delivery for Early Educators?
What is Mixed Delivery for Centers and Home-Based Child Care Providers?
What is Mixed Delivery for School Divisions?
What is Mixed Delivery for Virginia’s Businesses and Economy?
Mixed Delivery Program Guidelines – FY27

To learn more contact your Ready Region Mixed Delivery Coordinator.

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Child care is not a nice-to have, it’s a must-have. Child care should be convenient, affordable and available in every neighborhood.
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Where is Mixed Delivery available?

Mixed Delivery Map Test
Ready Region Southwest: Region 1 Ready Region West: Region 2 Ready Region Southside: Region 3 Ready Region Central: Region 4 Ready Region Southeastern: Region 5 Ready Region Chesapeake Bay: Region 6 Ready Region Capital Area: Region 7 Ready Region North Central: Region 8 Ready Region Blue Ridge: Region 9

Ready Region Southwest: Region 1

Bland County
*Carroll County
Floyd County
Galax City
*Giles County
*Montgomery County
*Norton City
*Pulaski County
Radford City
*Russell County
*Smyth County
*Tazewell County
*Washington County
*Wise County
Wythe County

Ready Region West: Region 2

Alleghany County
*Bath County
Covington City
*Craig County
*Franklin County
Lexington City
*Roanoke City

Ready Region Southside: Region 3

Amherst County
Bedford County
*Brunswick County
Campbell County
Danville City
*Lynchburg City
*Mecklenburg County
*Pittsylvania County
*Prince Edward County

Ready Region Central: Region 4

Chesterfield County
*Dinwiddie County
*Emporia City
Henrico County
Hopewell City
Petersburg City
*Richmond City

Ready Region Southeastern: Region 5

*Accomack County
*Chesapeake City
*Franklin City
*Norfolk City
Northampton County
*Portsmouth City
*Suffolk City
Virginia Beach City

Ready Region Chesapeake Bay: Region 6

Gloucester County
Hampton City
King William County
*Middlesex County
Newport News City
York County

Ready Region Capital Area: Region 7

Alexandria City
*Fairfax County
Falls Church City

Ready Region North Central: Region 8

Manassas Park City
*Prince William County
*Spotsylvania County
Stafford County

Ready Region Blue Ridge: Region 9

Albemarle County
Augusta County
*Charlottesville City
Fluvanna County
Harrisonburg City
Louisa County
Page County
Rappahannock County
Rockingham County
Shenandoah County
Staunton City
Waynesboro City
*Winchester City

This map reflects localities where Mixed Delivery is offered in each of the 9 Ready Regions.

Mixed Delivery primarily serves preschoolers (ages 3 and 4); Localities serving infants, toddlers, and/or 2-year-olds are starred.

Prince Edward and Wise counties only serve infants, toddlers, and/or 2-year-olds through Mixed Delivery.

What is Mixed Delivery For Families?

Mixed Delivery is offered in many Virginia communities and gives families the choice to use a high-quality, publicly funded private early childhood care and education (ECCE) provider (either a center or a home-based child care) that fits their child’s needs and their family’s preferences.

What is Mixed Delivery For Children?

High-quality early childhood care and education (ECCE) gives children safe, supportive learning experiences that help them succeed in school and later in life. These programs can improve the wellbeing of both children and parents, lower the need for special education, raise high school and college graduation rates, and lead to higher earnings as adults. Affordable or free ECCE programs can also help lift children and families out of poverty.

What is Mixed Delivery for Early Educators?

Early childhood educators (teachers) are trained professionals who care for and teach young children, and they deserve fair pay for the important work they do. Low wages are one of the main reasons early educators leave their jobs. In 2023, Mixed Delivery began paying its sites based on the Cost-of-Quality, which estimates what it really costs to run a high-quality early childhood care and education (ECCE) program. This approach encourages sites to invest in their workforce by raising salaries. As a result, educators can experience better wellbeing, higher income, and are more likely to stay in the field.

What is Mixed Delivery for Centers and Home-Based Child Care Providers?

Mixed Delivery gives private, non-faith-based early childhood care and education (ECCE) providers public funding through contracts so they can serve eligible children and help prepare them for success in school and life. In 2023, Mixed Delivery began paying participating sites based on the Cost-of-Quality, which estimates what it really costs to run a high-quality ECCE program, including quality improvements and fair pay for early childhood educators.

What is Mixed Delivery For School Divisions?

Mixed Delivery lets school divisions partner with private early childhood care and education (ECCE) providers to offer more publicly funded preschool spots. Schools can work with Ready Regions to combine VPI and Head Start with Mixed Delivery in private settings. Along with preschool, this gives families flexible options that match their needs and preferences.

What is Mixed Delivery for Virginia’s Businesses and Economy?

By offering full-day, year-round early childhood care and education (ECCE) at low or no cost to eligible families, Mixed Delivery helps parents join or return to the workforce. Parents can focus on their jobs, knowing their children are in safe, high-quality learning environments. This supports family finances and strengthens Virginia’s economy.