High Quality Early Childhood Education

The first 2,000 days of a child’s life have a lasting impact on later learning, health, and success.

Expanding Access to Early Learning Opportunities

Parents need options and children deserve opportunities. That is why NC Child is advocating for policies that strengthen the early childhood landscape in North Carolina by making child care easier to find and to afford.

Early Learning Matters for Children

The first 2,000 days of a child’s life are crucial for their well-being. Their brains are developing rapidly, and they are hitting critical milestones. We know that early learning has a tremendous impact on that journey. Children who participate in those programs are more likely to read at grade level, graduate, and have higher lifetime earnings. This means that early learning helps set children up for a lifetime of success. 

Early Learning Matters for Parents

Because of the high cost of child care and a lack of supply, too many parents are forced to drop out of the labor force. Recent research from NC Child and U.S. and NC Chamber Foundations found that 35% of parents who experienced employment disruptions reported leaving the workforce because of child care issues. Investing in early childhood education helps support parents while providing children with the educational opportunities that help them thrive. 

 

Resources

Untapped Potential in NC: How Child Care Impacts North Carolina's Workforce Productivity and the State's Economy
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Empowering Work: How Increasing Employment Among Parents of Young Children Can Grow North Carolina's Economy
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Building Blocks and Bottom Lines: The Financial Realities of Operating a Child Care Business in NC
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