Couple gives $1 million for early childhood education

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Virginia couple is giving $1 million to help improve early childhood education in the Old Dominion.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s office announced Tuesday that Ben and Betty Davenport’s gift would establish a new institute that would partner with four state community colleges.

Those colleges are Danville, Patrick Henry, Virginia Western and New River.

The goal of the $1 million is to help better train childcare workers and provide coaching and professional development opportunities.