For decades, Fairfax County has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to young children, investing in innovative early childhood programs, resources and partnerships to ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Building upon the 2017 School Readiness Strategic Plan, Fairfax County is proud to introduce its renewed strategy - Strong Foundations, Bright Futures: A Strategy for Early Childhood in Fairfax County.

This renewed plan presents our vision: that every child in Fairfax County has a strong foundation to thrive and achieve lifelong success. It is our mission to deliver a dynamic early childhood system that advances equity and prepares all young children for a lifetime of learning, wellness and achievement.

Strong Foundations, Bright Futures was developed between October 2024 to August 2025 through a collaborative process that brought together voices from across the Fairfax County’s early childhood community. This effort included gathering valuable input from families, educators and stakeholders; conducting document review;  organizing learning tours; and ensuring alignment with other key county plans.  

Through their efforts, the following key goals were identified to guide the next five years:

• Enhancing child health and well-being
• Expanding access to high-quality early learning
• Investing in and supporting the early childhood workforce
• Transforming the early childhood education system to advance equity

“As a community, we have a shared responsibility to ensure that every child in Fairfax County has the opportunity to thrive,” said Lloyd Tucker, Director of Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. “Strong Foundations, Bright Futures reflects our collective commitment to building an equitable, high-quality early childhood system that supports the well-being, learning and success of our youngest residents.”

To learn more about Strong Foundations, Bright Futures, please explore the full report, Executive Summary and At-a-Glance document on the Early Childhood Strategic Plan webpage. A Partner Toolkit is also available at the bottom of the page, providing a comprehensive resource to share the vision of Strong Foundations, Bright Futures and amplify our collective efforts to build an equitable, high-quality early childhood system in Fairfax County.