Early Childhood Education - Virginia
Connecting Science to Practice
We are leading the charge to translate “what we know” about effective early childhood education into the practice of “what we do.”
What We Know
Across the country, at both the local and state levels, there is increased investment in early childhood education (ECE), and for good reason: Research shows that high-quality ECE experiences are key to children’s academic and social-emotional success.
Researchers at The University of Virginia’s School of Education and Human Development are working collaboratively with local, regional, and state partners to implement high-quality ECE programs and policies that can increase access, opportunity, and quality for our youngest learners.
Not all children are getting equal opportunities to access high-quality learning experiences.
In Virginia, over 43% of students entering kindergarten need additional support in one or more critical areas of mathematics, literacy, social skills, and self-regulation (fall 2025). The likelihood that students need more support at kindergarten entry rises for students identified as:
- Black or Hispanic/Latino
- from low-income backgrounds
- having a disability
- English language/multilingual (EL) learners
High-quality preschool matters for school readiness
What We Do
We translate research into practice so young children have the best possible early learning experiences.
Building Effective Early Childhood Education Experiences
The faculty at UVA’s School of Education and Human Development work to understand what young students need to thrive in the classroom and to make those experiences a reality for children in Virginia, across the country, and globally. Our faculty are nationally recognized leaders in demonstrating how to build effective early childhood education programs by:
- Developing training and professional development for teachers.
- Designing and testing effective classroom and school programming.
- Sharing new knowledge with ECE practitioners, leaders, and policy makers.
- Applying research to practice in ways that consider real-world complexities.
- Advancing improved early childhood education policies.
Emphasizing High Quality
We know that transforming the lives of young children in lasting ways starts with high-quality early learning experiences. When it comes to the early childhood classroom, there are many components of quality to consider, such as health, safety, equipment, materials, routines, and schedules. However, it is the interactions between teachers and children that matter most to support learning.
HIGH-QUALITY EXPERIENCES MATTER
Young Children Need
Supportive Interactions
Young children need teachers who can support both their academic and social-emotional skills while engaging them in supportive relationships.
Effective Instruction
Children's backgrounds, interests, and abilities are varied and shape how they engage in the classroom. A comprehensive curriculum and formative assessments are key to helping teachers individualize instruction in engaging and effective ways.
A Strong Home and School Connection
When educators build strong relationships with families and are connected to the community, children have access to the support they need to thrive.
Who We Are
Our faculty and research teams work collaboratively with teachers, program leaders, and policy makers to make high-quality early learning come to life in the field.
Current Initiatives
A number of initiatives are paving the way to improve early childhood education experiences across Virginia.