Governor Josh Stein has announced the release of an interim report by the North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education. Co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt and Senator Jim Burgin, the report outlines six recommendations aimed at making high-quality child care more accessible, affordable, and sustainable in North Carolina.
Governor Stein emphasized the importance of investing in child care, stating that it benefits everyone and helps children thrive as adults. “We must come together to make child care more accessible and affordable so that we can secure a brighter future for North Carolina’s children,” he said.
Lieutenant Governor Hunt highlighted the struggles faced by families in finding quality child care amidst closures of centers. “This Task Force has brought together industry leaders and community partners to find real solutions,” she noted.
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley underscored the multifaceted nature of the issue, describing it as a business, talent, and health concern. He pointed out public-private solutions like Commerce’s Child Care Business Liaison position as critical components for addressing these challenges.
Senator Burgin described child care as a major issue for young families, acknowledging efforts made by the task force under Lt. Gov. Hunt’s leadership to support children’s well-being in North Carolina.
The state’s child care system faces significant hurdles with recruitment and retention of early childhood education professionals impacting availability and affordability of care. The cost of infant care exceeds that of in-state college tuition, leading many parents to leave the workforce due to lack of options—resulting in an estimated loss of $5.65 billion in economic output for 2023.
The task force developed six recommendations:
1. Set a statewide child care subsidy reimbursement rate floor.
2. Develop approaches to offer non-salary benefits for child care professionals.
3. Explore partnerships with educational institutions to increase access for public employees and students.
4. Investigate subsidized or free child care for early childhood educators.
5. Link existing compensation programs for early childhood professionals.
6. Consider creating a child care endowment.
In coming months, work groups will further explore these recommendations alongside additional challenges affecting North Carolina’s child care landscape. A subsequent report is expected by December 2025.
Members involved in this initiative include representatives from various sectors such as government officials, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, healthcare providers, and business leaders.
