Virginia looks ahead at the next 10-years of childcare funding

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - The Commonwealth of Virginia is weighing three potential approaches to childcare for the next 10-years.

These were unveiled at the Child Care Funding Summit on Oct. 14. The most ambitious plan, the Affordability for All plan, would cost the state $4.5 billion a year by 2036 while putting less financial stress on families. It would also give teachers and childcare providers a competitive raise to their salary.

The second plan, Improving Affordability, would cost the state $3.7 billion a year by 2036, saving the state $800 million, while giving less financial support to families. Childcare providers would still receive a competitive, if smaller salary raise under this plan as well.

The final plan, Sustaining Historic Growth, is closest to the current. $1.6 billion from the state per year by 2036, with a less competitive increase for childcare providers and heavier financial pressure on families.

Meredith Locascio, senior vice president of impact programs at United Way of Greater Charlottesville, says the solution to these plans likely lies in the middle.

“It’s really an affordability issue for families and an affordability issue for providers, because the two are not matching. And we’ve got to kind of come up with the middle ground there,” Locascio said.

The plans are only projections and are likely to change through more deliberation.

Do you have a story idea? Send us your news tip here.