South Raleigh News

This week, the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is releasing $67.5 million in stop gap funding to stabilize North Carolina’s early childhood education and child care centers, marking the last scheduled payment of Child Care Stabilization Grants. Initiated in 2021, these grants have been critical in keeping child care centers open and improving early childhood teacher pay. Earlier this year, the Republican-led General Assembly provided the $67.5 million to continue these grants through December 31, 2024, albeit at a reduced funding level.

“North Carolina relies on high-quality early childhood education and child care to support children’s healthy development and learning, allow parents to work and keep businesses running,” said Governor Cooper. “But these programs are now in crisis and we need the legislature to step up and make real investments before more child care centers close, more early childhood educators quit and programs become unaffordable for too many parents.”

Currently, Child Care Stabilization Grants support 3,763 early childhood education and child care facilities across the state. A recent statewide survey indicates that nearly a third of North Carolina child care centers are at risk of closing their doors when these federally funded grants end. Without additional investment, survey results show that North Carolina’s child care centers will lose quality teachers, face hiring difficulties, and will have to raise fees on parents.

The state has already seen a net loss of 116 child care centers in the past year. Without further funding, more closures are anticipated, along with increased fees that many parents may find unaffordable. Infant care in North Carolina now costs 28% more than in-state tuition for a four-year public college.

Governor Cooper declared 2024 as the Year of Public Schools and has been touring public schools and early childhood education programs across the state advocating for investments in K-12 education, early childhood education, and teacher pay. The Governor has also called for halting state spending on vouchers for unaccountable private schools until North Carolina’s public schools are fully funded.

Governor Cooper remains committed to prioritizing public schools and early childhood education while engaging with communities across the state who believe strong public schools and early learning programs are essential for robust communities.