We are updating Vermont’s strategic plan for early childhood! This strategic plan will be for the years 2026–2030. The final plan will be voted on at the next State Advisory Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 27, at 1:30 p.m. in Barre.
What Is Vermont’s Early Childhood Strategic Plan?
Currently known as “Vermont’s Early Childhood Action Plan (VECAP),” this is an important plan that brings together different parts of the early childhood system to help young children and their families be healthy, safe, happy, and successful now and in the future. It aims to create a strong system that supports kids’ growth and families’ well-being.
The plan makes sure everyone shares responsibility for helping children and families from before birth until they are 8 years old. Started in 2013, the Plan is updated every five years to help different organizations in Vermont work together better. It focuses on making real improvements in how children grow and learn. This is done by agreeing on common goals, figuring out ways to reach those goals, and shared language across the early childhood system.
The plan outlines the vision, common goals, and strategies that guide the state towards a connected, equitable, high-quality system of services for young children and families.
Draft Three was updated on Sept. 15, 2025. Here is a copy for your review:
Who Provided Input On The Draft Strategic Plan?
One of our goals as we update Vermont’s Early Childhood Strategic Plan is to center Vermont families, the people most impacted by our state’s early childhood systems. In spring 2025, Building Bright Futures hosted a series of Community Conversations with nearly 200 Vermonters to gather input as we develop the new strategic plan. These conversations included 92 family members and youth as well as 103 early childhood professionals from the BBF Network.
This community input will play a key role in informing the new strategic plan. The qualitative data we gathered—stories, experiences, concerns, and insights—will be paired with our years of data on the early childhood system.
