What are The Basics?
The Basics NC is a statewide initiative and public health approach dedicated to equipping families, caregivers, and communities with simple science-backed strategies that nurture brain development in young children. Based on five fun, simple, powerful principles, The Basics empower parents and caregivers with everyday ways to maximize love, build knowledge, and set the foundation for lifelong learning – through joyful, meaningful interactions.
The Basics Strategy
The Basics is a public health strategy that raises awareness about early childhood development and builds capacity throughout the community for engaging families around The Basics principles and other supports. The Basics works because it meets families where they already are. Instead of relying on formal programs, communities spread simple, consistent messages about early childhood development across many settings. Each interaction reinforces the same core idea: small everyday moments with children help build strong brains.
Socio-Ecological Saturation:
A local backbone organization in each affiliated community recruits and equips partner organizations from multiple sectors. The organizations, in turn, engage parents and caregivers with information and supports for incorporating The Basics Principles into everyday family routines. Businesses may display Basics messaging, pediatricians share The Basics during well-child visits, libraries integrate Basics principles into story time, and childcare providers reinforce and enroll families in Basics Insights. It works because it is everywhere that families are.
Smart Start's Role: A Shared Mission
The North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) is proud to present The Basics, NC, a statewide initiative dedicated to supporting early brain development and school readiness for young children. As the backbone of North Carolina’s Smart Start network, NCPC integrates The Basics into its comprehensive early childhood efforts, equipping families, caregivers, and communities with simple, evidence-based strategies to nurture cognitive and social-emotional growth from birth to age five.
Aligned with NCPC’s mission to ensure that all children enter school healthy and ready to succeed, The Basics, NC serves as a key resource in promoting equitable early learning opportunities across the state.
By leveraging Smart Start’s deep-rooted community partnerships, The Basics framework is embedded into local initiatives, strengthening family engagement, supporting early literacy, and enhancing child development efforts statewide.
Through this initiative, NCPC continues its commitment to closing early childhood opportunity gaps by ensuring that all families—regardless of background or resources—have access to the knowledge and tools needed to give their children a strong start in life.
Bring the Basics to your Community
Where Can You Find the Basics NC?
Engaging with Basics NC
Communities engage with The Basics in ways that reflect their own strengths, partnerships, and priorities.
The Basics NC has a tiered engagement model:
Tier 1: Awareness
Distribute materials and promote The Basics principles.
Examples may include: sharing materials with families, highlighting The Basics in newsletters, or promoting on social media. There is no cost at this level. Minimal technical support provided.
Tier 2: Engagement
Embed The Basics into existing programs and services through a formal planning process.
Examples include: incorporating Basics language into child care classrooms, training pediatricians to share The Basics during visits, family support programs reinforcing Basics messaging, or leading a coordinated community effort across sectors. Communities will receive technical support and guidance from The Basics, NC Director.
Tier 3: National Integration
Join The Basics, Inc. for national support, guidance, and opportunities - for backbones who would like to take their development a step further. The cost associated with this tier is $5,000 paid annually for two years.
Who to Contact
Carey Ann Watkins
As the Director of The Basics NC, Carey Ann leads the initiative’s efforts to expand awareness, strengthen partnerships, and bring high-impact early childhood strategies to communities across the state. With a passion for child development and a deep commitment to family engagement, Carey Ann works closely with Local Partnerships, community partners, and organizations to make The Basics accessible to all families.
