South Raleigh News

Today, Governor Roy Cooper toured Creative Minds Preschool in Wilmington, visiting several classrooms to observe child care and educational activities. The Governor was accompanied by local officials and Smart Start leadership from New Hanover and Pender Counties as he emphasized the urgent funding need for early childhood education and child care. Creative Minds Preschool is a 5-star licensed child care center and NC Pre-K program provider.

“Creative Minds Preschool and high-quality programs like this across our state are providing safe places where young children can learn from teachers who care about them while allowing parents to work,” said Governor Cooper. “Investing in quality child care helps children, their families, and the economy. It’s critical Republican legislators address the upcoming funding cliff and invest now in early childhood education and child care, not more taxpayer-funded private school vouchers.”

“We are grateful to Governor Cooper for taking the time to visit Creative Minds Preschool and for calling for more state funding for child care in the state budget,” said Creative Minds Preschool CEO Liz Peloquin. “Quality child care is one of the most important things we should invest in since these are the most important years in a child's development... Without additional funding from the state, we will have to increase tuition to a rate that many families cannot afford, which means parents will have to leave the workforce.”

“Children are our greatest resource; therefore, investing in early care and education is an investment in the growth and development of our youngest citizens,” said Smart Start of Pender County Executive Director Connie Carr-Costin. “Increasing investments in early care and education demonstrates our state’s commitment to affirming that we care about the future of young children...”

“The rapid brain development that happens for every child in their first few years of life sets the trajectory for their future – their education, careers, civic engagement, and health,” said Smart Start of New Hanover County Executive Director Jane Morrow. “When we invest in our children and their caregivers we see remarkable returns... Children can’t wait; we need to invest in them now.”

A recent statewide survey indicates nearly a third of North Carolina child care centers risk closure when Child Care Stabilization Grants funded by federal money end in June. Without additional investment, survey results show North Carolina’s child care centers will lose quality teachers, struggle with hiring difficulties, and raise fees on parents.

North Carolina’s NC Pre-K program also faces challenges this year. Instead of investing needed funds into sustaining this program, the legislature has allocated $625 million towards taxpayer-funded private school vouchers.

In April, Governor Cooper released his recommended budget for FY 2024-2025 titled "Securing North Carolina’s Future," which includes a $745 million investment aimed at strengthening access to childcare and early education for working families. The proposed budget outlines:

- $200 million for Child Care Stabilization Grants.

- $128.5 million for the Child Care Subsidy Program.

- $197 million for NC Pre-K Program.

- $24.4 million for summer care programs.

- A refundable tax credit worth up to $600 per average family.

Governor Cooper declared 2024 as the Year of Public Schools while touring public schools across North Carolina advocating investments in K-12 education, early childhood programs, and teacher pay.

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