Who We Are
FirstSpark, formerly Smart Beginnings Virginia Peninsula, is driving access to quality education by standing beside educators and families in the Northern Neck and Upper, Middle, and Lower Peninsulas championing their efforts, helping them navigate training and resources, ensuring access to those who need it most and shaping the policy that impacts us all. Learn more about how we’re supporting kindergarten readiness at www.firstsparkva.org
What We Do
We are proud to have been selected as the lead organization for Virginia's new regional approach to early childhood systems coordination, Ready Regions. Our geographic designation is Ready Region Chesapeake Bay and we are part of a statewide network focused on building public:private partnerships across sectors to bring about lasting impact for young children, educators and families in these 4 core areas:
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- Strengthening Quality: We will ensure all components are in place to coordinate quality measurement and guide improvement in publicly funded classrooms as part of VQB5.
- Building Relationships: We will engage with leaders across the region to facilitate buy-in for shared accountability and benefit.
- Increasing Access: We will build and strengthen better processes to help parents learn about and access ECCE programs in their community, while helping ECCE providers connect with families.
- Engaging Families: We will establish and strengthen strategies and structures to ensure family engagement.
Details
| (757) 240-2731 ext. 204 | |
| (757) 327-0182 | |
| jduregger@smartbeginningsvp.org | |
| Julie Duregger | |
| Deputy Director | |
| http://www.smartbeginningsvp.org |
