A Recap of the 2024 Smart Start Conference 

A Recap of the 2024 Smart Start Conference 

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...

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Smart Start Featured Panel, Supporting Early Care and Education Professionals.

“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...

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Smart Start Featured Panel: State of Early Childhood in North Carolina

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...

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