Early Care 

Overview

Children need high-quality early care and education because research shows that the early years of life set the stage for future development; families and parents rely on child care so that they can work.  Action for Children works to ensure that all children have access to high-quality early care and education, particularly for our most vulnerable children.

Did you know?  Every dollar invested in early care and education has a $7 return to society.

• School Readiness: Action for Children works with partners throughout the state to ensure that our communities, schools and families can provide the kinds of opportunities and supports our youngest children need to be successful in school and life.
• High-Quality Early Care and Education: Action for Children works in partnership with other organizations to increase the quality and accessibility of early care and education programs.  As part of promoting high quality early care and education, Action for Children advocates for better funding of the child care subsidy program and higher reimbursement rates for providers.

Examples of Recent Early Care Policy Successes Include:

• Ensuring more than half-a-million children across North Carolina receive quality early care and education with the creation of Smart Start and More at Four;
• Securing an additional $30 million in child care subsidies so employees can work and children are in safe care; and
• Improving access to high-quality early care and education through the creation of 10,000 additional More at Four slots.
  

Signature Early Care Publication

Quality Early Care and Education Has Substantial Benefits for Children, Families and Communities - May 2006