EO Annual Report

Even if a parent is able to find a slot for their child, the cost is steep. Without any financial aid, the average family would spend $50,000 on childcare in the first five years of their child’s life alone, which is simply unattainable for many. During her search, Hodges discovered EO’s Ready Together, a program piloted by EO that assists with the cost of childcare for families in partnership with the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation and Ballad Health Virginia. Ready Together is a cost-share model, meaning that families, their employers, and the state of Virginia all contribute financially towards tuition. “It has impacted and blessed our family immensely,” Hodges said. “With this program, my two kids have been able to attend Ballad Health’s Center for Early Learning, and they are surrounded by the kindest teachers who love them so much.”

learning important social and emotional skills to ensure they are kindergarten ready. “My son will go to kindergarten next year and I am confident that he will be prepared and ready. They have both learned so much,” she said. Ballad Health is the first employer to join in the Ready Together program, but there are efforts being made to expand it across Virginia, because without programs like this, families with working parents, like Hodges’s, might not be able to return to their jobs and keep Virginia’s workforce strong.

Since its launch in late 2024, Ready Together has provided childcare to an additional 57 children.

Hodges said her children are not only cared for, but are also

“Knowing that my kids are safe and loved while I’m away from them at work, it just means everything.” -Kelsey Hodges