GrowSmart is the City of Virginia Beach’s early childhood education initiative, administered through Virginia Beach Public Library. 

The program advances the City’s commitment to ensuring that all children enter school healthy, prepared, and ready to succeed. Virginia Beach has taken an innovative approach by supporting this childhood education initiative since 2011.

The program has received regional and national attention for recognizing that the creation of a skilled, educated future workforce begins at birth. We also acknowledge the important role our childcare industry plays in supporting our current workforce.

Smart Investment in the Future

Volunteer

GrowSmart offers several volunteer opportunities throughout the year to engage our local community members and businesses.

Need a page

LENA Start Registration

Register for parent classes for families with children ages 0-3 years or see the benefits of LENA Start.

Learn about the program

GrowSmart Priorities

VB GrowSmart prioritizes the youngest citizens and works to ensure their healthy physical, cognitive and social-emotional development.

Learn about priority

It's not about titles or egos—it's about the love of reading.

Robert M. "Bobby" Dyer Mayor, City of Virginia Beach

GrowSmart Initiatives

Campaign for Grade-Level Reading

This nationwide network promotes grade-level reading as key to early school success.

Explore Campaign for Grade-Level Reading

Virginia Beach READS

It is the City of Virginia Beach's effort to rally the entire community around the critical issue of ensuring that all students can read on or above grade level by third grade.

Explore Virginia Beach READS

Virginia Beach TALKS

Virginia Beach offers LENA technology and programs such as LENA Start parent groups and LENA Grow early childhood professional development and coaching.

Early Talk Matters

GrowSmart Foundation

Formed in June 2014, the purpose of the Foundation is to bolster the work of Virginia Beach GrowSmart by securing increased funding through public grants and private donations.

Person reading to a group of children

GrowSmart Quick Stats

  • 400 businesses mentored

  • 16 years since established

  • 40,000 children benefited

  • 250 programs supported

You can make a difference in a child's life while having a great experience yourself.

John First Grade READS volunteer