About Foundation First

Who We Are

Foundation First is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening early childhood care and education (ECCE) systems across the Commonwealth of Virginia. As the lead agency for Ready Region North Central, we serve families, providers, and communities in the City of Manassas, Manassas Park City, the City of Fredericksburg and the Counties of Loudoun, Culpeper, Fauquier, Prince William, Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford by improving access to high-quality, affordable early learning opportunities.

Our work centers on building strong systems that support children from birth to age five—especially those who are most vulnerable—by coordinating public and private resources, expanding family engagement, and investing in a skilled early childhood workforce. We partner with local schools, childcare providers, community organizations, businesses, and state agencies to ensure every child is prepared for kindergarten and lifelong success.

At Foundation First, we believe that high-quality early learning experiences are a powerful investment in our future. With a focus on equity, innovation, and collaboration, we work every day to close opportunity gaps, support families, and empower providers.

Meet Our Team

Vision

All children birth to five have a solid foundation that leads to success.

Mission

To unify our community to promote equitable access to resources for all children birth to five.

Foundation First 4 Core Values 

Innovative refers to a commitment to fostering creativity, forward-thinking, and the exploration of innovative ideas and approaches. For Foundation First’s context, it emphasizes: 

  • Encouraging experimentation and the willingness to take calculated risks in order to find better solutions. 
  • Adapting to change by seeking out innovative technologies, methods, or strategies that enhance effectiveness and improve outcomes. 
  • Challenging the status quo by continuously seeking ways to improve existing systems, processes, and practices. 
  • Promoting collaboration by harnessing diverse perspectives to fuel creativity and problem-solving. 

Being innovative reflects a proactive mindset that looks to the future, values continuous improvement, and is driven by the pursuit of excellence in serving programs, children, and families in an ever-evolving landscape. 

Inclusiveness reflects a commitment to creating an environment where everyone is respected, valued, and given equitable opportunities to participate and contribute. For Foundation First’s context, it emphasizes: 

  • Embracing diversity by recognizing and celebrating differences in culture, background, abilities, and perspectives. 
  • Fostering belonging where all individuals—children, families, staff, and stakeholders—feel welcomed and included. 
  • Ensuring equity by actively addressing barriers to access and participation, especially for underserved or marginalized communities. 
  • Promoting collaboration by encouraging open dialogue and valuing every voice in decision-making processes. 

Being inclusive means actively working to create a culture of respect, fairness, and unity, where everyone can thrive and contribute meaningfully to Foundation First’s goals and vision.

Impactful refers to a focus on making meaningful, measurable, and lasting positive differences in the lives of individuals and communities. For Foundation First, it emphasizes: 

  • Driving positive change by aligning actions and initiatives with the goal of improving outcomes for children, families, and the community. 
  • Measuring success through clear, tangible results that demonstrate the effectiveness of programs, services, or interventions. 
  • Maximizing resources by using time, funding, and efforts efficiently to achieve the greatest possible benefit. 
  • Leaving a lasting legacy by ensuring that the work has sustainable and far-reaching effects that continue to benefit future generations. 

Being impactful reflects a commitment to purposeful action and continuous reflection, ensuring that Foundation First’s work not only meets immediate needs but also contributes to long-term community well-being and success. 

Intentional refers to acting with purpose, clarity, and thoughtful planning to achieve specific outcomes. In an organizational context, it emphasizes: 

  • Purposeful decision-making by aligning actions and strategies with clear goals and objectives. 
  • Thoughtful planning through careful consideration of how each step contributes to the overall mission and vision. 
  • Focusing on impact by ensuring that resources and efforts are directed toward meaningful results and long-term success. 
  • Clarity of purpose by ensuring that all stakeholders understand the rationale behind actions and decisions. 

Being intentional reflects a deliberate and focused approach to achieving Foundation First’s mission, ensuring that every action is taken with a clear understanding of its purpose and its contribution to the broader goals.

Our Partners

Our Strategies

1. Systems Building

Provide professional development opportunities for the early care and education workforce.

  • Coordinate workshops and conferences in the region
  • Promote early childhood scholarship opportunities
  • Facilitate learning communities and forums

Increase participation of early childhood providers and programs in VQB5.

  • Participate in outreach activities in the community
  • Advertise and market the VQB5 initiative
  • Establish a smooth transition for young children to enter kindergarten
  • Provide resources and programs that support children’s health, nutrition, and safety
  • Implement literacy activities and readiness events for children and families
  • Coordinate a regional enrollment plan with all publicly funded childcare programs and school divisions

2. Public Engagement

Increase the level of public understanding as to the importance of early childhood development and education.

  • Update legislators and community leaders in the region about the work of Foundation First
  • Communicate the importance of the early childhood workforce pipeline to businesses
  • Implement consistent branding and marketing and increase social media presence

Support parents with the knowledge and awareness of best practices, child development, and community resources.

  • Conduct outreach activities and workshops in the community
  • Provide materials and resources to assist families with young children
  • Promote best practices and child development through social media and the Foundation First website

Collaborate with community partners.

  • Promote peer learning and sharing among community partners
  • Conduct quarterly Foundation First Community Task Force meetings
  • Participate in community leadership committees, activities, and events

3. Sustainability

Cultivate a governance and operational structure that is representative of the region.

  • Elect a Board of Directors that represents each area of our region
  • Advocate for representation from varied sectors of the community which is inclusive of but not limited to health, human services, education, finance, and business
  • Conduct an Annual meeting for the Board of Directors and meet quarterly

Maximize financial and organizational resources to build capacity.

  • Expand partnerships with local businesses
  • Conduct quarterly Foundation First Financial Committee meetings
  • Identify and apply for mission-oriented grants and maintain a fundraising plan developed by the Public Engagement and Fundraising Committee

Identify and respond to the evolving needs of the community.

  • Participate in data collection and research projects
  • Document gaps, improvements, and outcomes
  • Track indicators of school readiness at the child, family, and community levels

Our Goals

Structure

Establish and sustain an organizational structure that is representative of the community and has the authority, public support and resources to bring the positive changes for young children identified in the strategic plan.

Support

Provide parents with access to information, education and support that will help them identify and meet the developmental, social, educational, and emotional needs of their children.

Quality

Improve the quality of early childhood care and education programs.

Educate

Increase the level of public understanding as to the critical importance of early childhood development.

Health

Improve the health of young children, birth to five, by expanding the availability of and access to health services.