By Michelle Smith Howard, President & CEO, Kids’ First Years
Alexandria, VA – Last month, Kids’ First Years was proud to present the area’s first State of Early Childhood 2025 – a convening of nearly 100 of Alexandria’s leaders, businesses, educators, policymakers, and community advocates to focus on one mission: building a thriving early childhood system that fuels the city’s economy, strengthens the workforce, and supports every family.
Mayor Aliya Gaskins kicked things off highlighting the importance of coming together to make continued progress in Alexandria’s early care system through Kids’ First Years as a collective. She celebrated the tremendous value of Alexandria’s community partnerships and programs like the city’s play groups, ALX Preschool network and The Basics.
After sharing her own challenges navigating the child care system for her family, she stated, “It’s incumbent on us to make sure that every child in every neighborhood in this city has access to quality child care, and that every space provides the opportunity for our young people to live, grow, and stay in this community.”
A panel on national trends, state policies, and their implications in Alexandria was moderated by Dr. Tammy Mann, Board Chair, Kids’ First Years. Panelists were Soumya Bhat, Children’s Funding Project; Anne Hedgepeth, Child Care Aware of America; and Rebecca Ullrich, Virginia Department of Education.
During the panel discussion, Hedgepeth shared that advocacy is critical right now. “Pressure from federal changes could make it more difficult for parents and their families to thrive,” she said. “There’s a higher burden on states, currently in a partnership with federal government. Fewer adults will be eligible for Medicaid, making it critical for us to work together to convey the impacts of this.”
Keynote speaker Kathy Glazer, President of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, shared a review of the history of Virginia’s public/private partnership progress over recent years in Early Childhood. “There is growing recognition that child care is infrastructure, essential to every system – workforce, economic development, education, and health – that drives the economic vitality and quality of life that we want for all Virginians,” said Glazer.
Following the event, Alberto Omeechevarria, Board Member, Child & Family Network Centers of Alexandria, and President of Biscayne Contractors, observed, “Until today, I didn’t realize the true value of a collective to all of our missions. This event really helped me understand how critical it is as a city to speak with one voice to get things done.”
Final Thoughts from Kids’ First Years
Kids’ First Years serves as the coordinating body and collective voice of Alexandria’s early care and education system. We are organized as a collective impact initiative comprising key partners and stakeholders who have committed to coordinate efforts to ensure every child in the City of Alexandria has a strong start in life.
There are more than 11,000 infants, toddlers, and young children in the City of Alexandria. We have an opportunity to lay a foundation that will set kids, their families, and our entire community up for success. It takes all of us to invest in our youngest residents and build this thriving community.
We are humbled and honored that so many community leaders came together to acknowledge the critical importance of early childhood as a driver of community strength here in Alexandria.
I want to express deep appreciation for our founding sponsors: The Bruhn-Morris Family Foundation, The Collis Warner Foundation, The Frank and Betty Wright Foundation, David and Diann Frantz, Lansinoh, and Mia’s Italian Kitchen. Their support didn’t just fund an event, it signaled belief in the critical importance of early childhood as a driver of community strength.
Moving Forward Together:
- Commit: Identify one concrete action you or your organization can take — from shaping policy to strengthening partnerships — to support Alexandria’s youngest children.
- Invest: Contribute your time, expertise, or resources to help scale and sustain solutions. Start by reading our annual report at kidsfirstyears.org
- Engage: Use your voice and networks to keep early childhood front and center in community priorities, budgets, and plans.
