John Reid shares the commitment to lowering the cost of childcare and improving access for working families. However, Reid’s approach is rooted in conservative principles: fostering a market-driven solution that respects local control, empowers working families, and avoids heavy reliance on state and federal funding. His plan prioritizes reducing the financial burden on Virginia's families without further expanding government intervention or reliance on taxpayer dollars.

​

1. Empowering Families through Tax Relief and Flexibility

   • Expand Childcare Tax Credits: Provide Virginia families with a state-level tax credit for childcare expenses, ensuring that parents can keep more of their hard-earned money. This will allow families to make decisions about childcare providers based on their needs and preferences, rather than being dependent on state-run programs.

   • Support Flexible Savings Accounts: Incentivize the creation of tax-free Childcare Savings Accounts (CSAs) that allow families to set aside money for childcare without taxes eating into their savings. This helps alleviate long-term childcare costs while giving families control over how they spend their money.

2. Incentivizing Private Sector Solutions

   • Encourage Employer-Sponsored Childcare: Introduce tax incentives for Virginia businesses that invest in on-site childcare facilities or provide childcare assistance for employees. By incentivizing private sector solutions, we empower businesses to make decisions that best serve their employees’ needs without relying on state grants or public funds.

   • Expand Childcare Voucher Programs for Working Families: Instead of relying on expanding government-run childcare centers, we propose enhancing the childcare voucher system, giving working families more options to choose providers based on their specific needs, whether it's a family-run operation or a national provider.

3. Fostering Local Solutions and Empowering Communities

   • Promote Public-Private Partnerships for New Childcare Facilities: Rather than relying on new state-run facilities, encourage localities to work with private businesses and faith-based organizations to identify underutilized properties for potential childcare sites. The private sector and local communities are better suited to tailor childcare offerings to meet the needs of their families.

   • Streamline Zoning and Licensing for New Providers: Simplify local regulations to make it easier for new childcare providers to open their doors. Local zoning laws and licensing requirements often create unnecessary barriers, especially for small businesses or faith-based organizations. By cutting red tape, we can make it easier for Virginia’s communities to respond to local childcare needs.

4. Education and Training through Community Colleges and Vocational Schools

   • Increase Dual Enrollment Programs for Early Childhood Education: Partner with Virginia’s community colleges to provide dual enrollment programs for high school students interested in early childhood education. These programs will help build a pipeline of skilled workers and reduce the shortage of childcare providers in Virginia, especially in underserved areas.

   • Expand Vocational Training for Childcare Professionals: Work with trade schools and community colleges to create affordable, flexible training programs that prepare individuals for careers in early childhood education without the need for costly four-year degrees. This makes childcare careers accessible to more Virginians and helps address the workforce gap.

5. Fostering Personal Responsibility and Parental Choice

   • Support Parental Choice in Childcare Providers: Empower parents to choose the best childcare solutions for their families. We will remove bureaucratic red tape that restricts parents’ ability to select providers based on their values, schedules, and personal preferences.

   • Encourage Family-Led Childcare Options: Support programs that help families open up in-home childcare services, providing additional flexibility for parents who prefer a home-like setting for their children. This can help address gaps in availability, particularly in rural areas, without massive government intervention.

 

By focusing on tax relief, reducing regulatory barriers, and empowering local communities and the private sector, John Reid’s plan will ensure that Virginia’s working families have access to affordable childcare. This approach leverages conservative principles of personal responsibility, market-driven solutions, and local control while avoiding reliance on state or federal funding. We will work together to create a childcare system that is efficient, sustainable, and flexible—fostering economic opportunities for both families and businesses in Virginia.