Smart Beginnings Rappahannock Area is an early childhood initiative designed to ensure young children are prepared for success in school and success in life. We are a coalition of over 40 public and private agencies, businesses and individuals.
Smart Beginnings Rappahannock Area is led by an active volunteer Board of Directors, composed of community and business leaders. SBRA is supported by local businesses, educational institutions, non-profit institutions, and local governments.
Our organization brings together parents, business people, community leaders and local agencies to strengthen existing early childhood education programs and implement new approaches where needed.
Smart Beginnings Rappahannock Area serves the city of Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George, and Caroline Counties.
We are deeply concerned that in our region, up to 1 in 7 children arrive in kindergarten without the basic skills to succeed. This severely limits their chances for success in the work place, in their own personal health and in their ability to contribute to society.
We believe that supporting early childhood education is a smart investment with a big return.
Studies by the Federal Reserve, the World Bank and the Economic Policy Institute share this common conclusion: investing now in early childhood development yields tremendous economic and social benefits by reducing crime and welfare dependency while building the competitive, productive workforce our community will need in the future.
Together, we can help make a difference.