The Virginia Department of Education applies the Kindergarten Entry Laws established by the Virginia General Assembly. The Department of Education also administers these programs:

	Virginia Preschool Initiative The Virginia Preschool Initiative distributes state funds to schools and community-based organizations to provide quality preschool programs for at-risk four-year olds unserved by Head Start.
	Even Start Family Literacy Program Even Start is a federally funded program designed to improve the academic achievement of young children and their parents, especially in the area of reading.

In addition, we provide the following Standards and links to other early childhood sites:

	Virginia Foundation Blocks for Early Learning: Comprehensive Standards for Four-Year-Olds
	Preschool Curriculum Review Rubric and Planning Tool
	PALS - Phonological Awareness & Literacy Screening
	Get Ready to Read
	Preschool Transportation
	U.S. Department of Education
	Teaching Early Phonological Awareness Skills (Powerpoint ) (PDF)

For more information, contact
Cheryl P. Strobel
Specialist, Early Childhood
Virginia Department of Education
P.O. Box 2120
Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120
Voice: 804-371-7578
FAX: 804/786-1703
e-mail: Cheryl.Strobel@doe.virginia.gov