RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s administration is seeking public input on how to improve early education and child care options in the state.

Northam’s office announced Thursday that the state is seeking comments through the end of the month on the administration’s proposed strategic plan to improve school readiness.

A recently released needs assessment found that 40% of the state’s kindergarten students are not ready for school. Nearly half of all low-income kindergarten students enter school unprepared.

The state’s strategic plan’s goals include increasing availability for both public and private childcare options for working parents of toddlers. The state also wants to use incentives to help ensure adequate pay for childcare workers.