South Raleigh News

Governor Roy Cooper visited The Early Learning Center Preschool in Charlotte today, touring classrooms to observe child care and early learning activities. Accompanied by President and CEO of Child Care Resources Inc., Janet Singerman, and local officials, the Governor emphasized the urgent need for funding in early childhood education and child care. The Early Learning Center Preschool is a 5-star licensed child care center and NC Pre-K program provider.

“Child care centers like The Early Learning Center Preschool teach children important building blocks and help prepare them for their future," said Governor Cooper. “A lack of access to child care is preventing parents from entering the workforce, meanwhile Republican legislators plan to spend $625 million on taxpayer-funded private school vouchers. We must address the upcoming funding cliff and invest in early childhood education and child care.”

Artasia Porter-Harris, Administrative Assistant at The Early Learning Center Preschool, stated, “Increasing the budget for Early Childhood Education is essential for enhancing the quality of care and early education, which directly impacts children's development and future academic success. This investment not only supports working parents by offering affordable and reliable childcare options but also stimulates economic growth by enabling parents to participate fully in the workforce. Additionally, well-funded childcare centers can attract and retain qualified staff, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for children.”

Janet Singerman added, “High-quality child care programs support healthy development and early learning for young children during the most critical years of children’s development. Our programs here in Charlotte and across the state need well-trained early childhood teachers. Without adequate compensation and support to sustain their quality, we are in danger of losing three in ten child care programs and 92,000 child spaces.”

Child Care Resources Inc., responsible for administering Mecklenburg County’s child care subsidy programs and managing Early Head Start – Child Care partnerships in Mecklenburg and Burke Counties, works to ensure access to quality early learning opportunities.

A recent statewide survey indicates that nearly a third of North Carolina's child care centers risk closure when federal Child Care Stabilization Grants end in June. Without additional investment, these centers may lose quality teachers, face hiring challenges, and increase fees on parents.

North Carolina’s NC Pre-K program also faces risks this year as legislative funds are directed towards private school vouchers instead of sustaining this high-quality program.

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

- $200 million for Child Care Stabilization Grants

- $128.5 million for the Child Care Subsidy Program

- $197 million for the NC Pre-K Program

- $24.4 million for summer care programs post-NC Pre-K

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

Governor Cooper has declared 2024 as the Year of Public Schools while advocating investments in K-12 education, early childhood education, teacher pay increases, and halting state spending on private school vouchers until public schools receive full funding.

Read "The Year of Public Schools" proclamation here.

Read more about North Carolina's voucher program here.

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