We would like to share a heartfelt congratulations to the third cohort of our Early Learning Career Launch (ELCL) program. This initiative, offered in partnership with the UVA Pipelines & Pathways with their Pathways to Success Early Childhood Educator Program, grows the Greater Charlottesville region’s much-needed early education and caregiving workforce.
There is a current shortfall of around 3,300 childcare slots needed by families in the Greater Charlottesville area. This shortfall equates to an estimated 700 teachers and caregivers needed based on appropriate classroom ratios. ELCL works to address the early childhood workforce shortage by recruiting, training, supporting, and credentialing professionals across all levels of early childhood education and administration, while also strengthening child care programs through access to shared services and ongoing supports.
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As of the June graduation, all 10 graduates had received multiple employment offers from local early childhood programs, including Bright Horizons, Bright Beginnings, Foundations Child Development Center, and several other community providers. Meredith Locascio, senior vice president of impact at United Way of Greater Charlottesville, shared: “Congratulations to the ELCL June 2026 cohort! You all went above and beyond–we heard time and time again just how dedicated, passionate, and organized this cohort was. We have no doubt that these traits and more will help you deliver quality care to your future students!”
The ELCL program partners with community organizations and recruits, trains, and supports participants on their journeys to becoming early childhood educators. All of the participants’ time spent training and credentialing is compensated, which allows for a wider range of aspiring teachers–across a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and life stages–to participate in ELCL and kick-start an early education career. For many graduates, this is the key difference that makes attaining their professional goals possible. “I can happily say that completing this program is the stepping stone to fulfilling my dream of becoming a teacher,” shared one graduate at this cohort’s graduation ceremony. “Thank you for the opportunity to make this career change and further my education.”
Post-graduation and ELCL program completion, graduates continue to receive mentorship and support as new educators. To date, 33 educators have graduated from ELCL’s Level II program. This fall ELCL will launch Level III in partnership with Piedmont Virginia Community College, where 23 educators will continue their professional development by pursuing an Early Childhood Development Career Studies Certificate.
One graduate, beginning as an associate teacher at a local center, shared that the support and opportunity provided by ELCL has inspired her to keep moving the goalposts of her career as she grows: “I look forward to creating positive learning environments, applying everything I have learned through this program, and one day having a classroom of my own where I can serve as a positive role model and leader for young children.”
