South Raleigh News

Governor Josh Stein has announced the formation of a new task force aimed at addressing child care and early education in North Carolina. The initiative is designed to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care and support the growth of the child care workforce across the state.

Governor Stein emphasized the importance of accessible child care, stating, “Access to high-quality child care ensures that North Carolina’s children can learn and thrive during their formative years, which shapes their educational trajectory.” He added that he is "proud to bring together providers, legislators, business leaders, parents, community partners, and industry experts" to support parents and educators.

In his first State of the State address earlier this week, Governor Stein highlighted significant gaps in North Carolina's current child care system. Notably, there is only one available spot for every five families seeking child care. Additionally, four out of five families pay more than 7% of their income on infant care—above recommended levels. The poverty rate among early childhood educators also exceeds that of other workers in North Carolina by 17.6%, contributing to workforce shortages.

The task force includes a diverse group of stakeholders from various sectors. Co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt and Senator Jim Burgin, it comprises legislators like Senator Jay Chaudhuri and Representative Sarah Crawford; business leaders such as Gary Salamido from NC Chamber; educational figures including Dr. Mary Olvera from the North Carolina Community College System Offices; and several others representing health services, public instruction, advocacy groups, and private enterprises.

Members are tasked with identifying solutions to improve access to affordable childcare while supporting those working within this critical sector.

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