Smart Start & NCPC News
News and information from the Smart Start Network and The North and Partnership for Children
Mar
06
2025
Select Smart Start Communities are Continuing DPIL Enrollment, but More Funding is Needed
– Since 2017, Smart Start and the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) have partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) to provide free, high-quality...
Jan
06
2025
Early care and education form the cornerstone of a child’s lifelong success, shaping their learning, health, and well-being. Yet, the increasing challenges in finding affordable, high-quality child care are impacting families across North Carolina. Smart Start is committed to...
Dec
27
2024
The Healthy & Resilient Communities Initiative (HRCI) at the NC Partnership for Children (NCPC) has made significant strides over the past three years. Supported by the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, HRCI leverages Smart Start’s deep connections across North...
Nov
15
2024
Lending libraries are invaluable community resources, offering families and educators access to high-quality educational tools and materials that might otherwise be out of reach. Smart Start of Pender County has long championed early learning, and its Executive Director, Connie...
Nov
12
2024
Moving to a new community with young children is challenging, especially without a network of family or friends. When Maribel Strachan moved to Person County, North Carolina, in 2012, she quickly realized the need for structured activities and support...
Sep
13
2024
By Amy Stephens Cubbage, MS, JD
Imagine a North Carolina in which every child has the resources and support to thrive and enter kindergarten ready to succeed—this is the vision that has driven the Smart Start Network for over thirty...
Sep
06
2024
NC Tri-Share Serves its First Family, Increasing Access to High-Quality, Affordable Child Care
The NC Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program began beta–testing and registering families in July. NC Tri-Share is a program that creates a public/private partnership to share the...
Sep
03
2024
The NC Partnership for Children (NCPC) Celebrates Smart Start Month
– Governor Roy Cooper proclaims September Smart Start Month. This proclamation acknowledges the Smart Start Network's commitment for over thirty years to ensuring all North Carolina’s young children...
Jun
13
2024
Families Can Sign-up with Smart Start and DPIL to Receive a Bilingual Book Each Month Starting in June.
The North Carolina Partnership for Children and the Smart Start Network is excited to announce a significant expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination...
May
30
2024
The 2024 Smart Start Conference brought together professionals, policymakers, and advocates in early childhood education and development from over 24 states and 3 countries!
Here’s a recap of the week-
Monday, May 6: Preconferences
We kicked off the conference with a...