Bright Beginnings Central Virginia
Our Vision: “All Children are supported in getting ready for kindergarten to lay the building blocks for third-grade reading proficiency.“
Our History
Created in 2008 with funding from the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, Smart Beginnings Central Virginia began as a local systems-building initiative, bringing key stakeholders together to identify and address the needs of children and families. Over the next several years, a strong regional network was built that continues to partner and collaborate with BBCV.
In 2021, as the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation moved into new phases of growth and development, the Smart Beginnings brand was discontinued and a new, nine-region structure was formed. We changed our name to Bright Beginnings Central Virginia, continuing to serve the greater-Lynchburg area, and are a part of the Ready Regions statewide initiative.
The Bright Beginnings CV mission hasn’t changed. We are committed to ensuring that all children are supported as they get ready to enter kindergarten – recognizing that kindergarten readiness begins at birth! We continue to unite a network to build a strong childcare system.
Our Future:
Bright Beginnings is an initiative of the United Way, focusing on supporting the early childhood care and education system in Central Virginia. Bright Beginnings will continue to:
Serve as a regional convener of key stakeholders of early care and education
Participate in VPI Steering Committees
Coordinate training and professional development for childcare professionals
Serve as a Dolly Parton Imagination Library Affiliate, seeking continuous support for the region’s birth-to-five population
Provide Summer Learning Kits to rising kindergarten children each spring
Coordinate the Gus-the-Bus Outreach
Partner with the Beacon of Hope to place interns at childcare centers
Partner with Ready Regions initiatives
Lead the new Childcare and Workforce Development Project
