Child Care Strategy and Planning

The City has completed three previous Child Care Needs Assessments in 1995, 2001 and 2009, which have helped to guide City actions for its role in supporting child care provision in Richmond.

In 2016 the City of Richmond conducted a comprehensive review and analysis of Richmond’s child care needs in order to forecast future needs for the period of 2017 to 2022. The methodology used for completing this report consisted of a literature review, demographic analysis, a review of best practises in other municipalities, online survey research (parents, guardians and child care operators), online forums and focus groups (parents, child care operators and stakeholders).

The results of the community engagement process were used to develop a City child care strategy for the next five years. The 2017-2022 Richmond Child Care Needs Assessment and Strategy recommends that the City and other stakeholders work together to address the need for quality, affordable, accessible child care spaces in Richmond.

 2017-2022 Richmond Child Care Needs Assessment and Strategy
 Richmond Child Care Needs Assessment and Strategy - Key Findings

The 2017-2022 Richmond Child Care Needs Assessment and Strategy Updates highlight the significant progress and achievements in addressing the short term and ongoing actions since the Strategy was adopted. Many innovative actions were initiated since July 2017 to provide families with increased access to child care and parenting resources, while also supporting child care providers. Future updates will continue to present the highlights from the implementation of the 2017–2022 Richmond Child Care Needs Assessment and Strategy.

 2021 Update Child Care Needs Assessment and Strategy
 2020 Update Child Care Needs Assessment and Strategy
 2019 Update Child Care Needs Assessment and Strategy
 2018 Update Child Care Needs Assessment and Strategy 

2021-2031 Richmond Child Care Action Plan
The City of Richmond is a municipal leader in its commitment to child care. The child care space targets and actions outlined in the 2021–2031 Richmond Child Care Action Plan demonstrate the City’s recognition of child care being an essential need for Richmond residents and employees.

Building on the 2017-2022 Richmond Child Care Needs Assessment and Strategy, this plan offers valuable insight on municipal initiatives to expand and enhance child care choices in Richmond. Through research and consultation, the 2021-2031 Richmond Child Care Action Plan provides a snapshot of the current state of child care in Richmond and assesses the opportunities and challenges to better meet the child care needs of families. With this information, targets for child care space creation and actions to meet these targets are identified.
 2021-2031 Richmond Child Care Action Plan
 2021-2031 Richmond Child Care Action Plan - Key Findings