Each Child. Every Community.

Child care is an essential service for North Carolina families, ensuring parents can work while their young children learn and grow. However, the child care industry has been heavily affected by the pandemic. The reality of low pay for...

“Working in ECE begins a route to poverty for many” - Dr. Ashley Williams, Center for the Study of the Child Care Employment. Smart Start conference attendees joined together to explore challenges facing the early childhood workforce, actions being taken by...

The pandemic created unprecedented challenges for the early childhood sector. However, despite these challenges, federal relief funding for state and local governments and a renewed focus on the importance of child care and family supports, translates into historic opportunities. Smart...

Secretary Arne Duncan talks about the importance of early childhood education, and he calls on parents and citizens to get involved and “be part of the solution” in this January 7, 2011, video (via www.ed.gov).