North Raleigh Today

Today, Governor Josh Stein visited Kate’s Korner, a child care center in Durham, to announce the formation of a new Task Force for Child Care and Early Education. The task force is co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt and Senator Jim Burgin. Its goal is to find solutions for expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care across North Carolina and to support the workforce involved in this sector.

Governor Stein emphasized the importance of investing in child care, stating, “When we invest in child care, everyone benefits. Parents get to keep working and keep building their careers. Small businesses can keep their productive workers. And most importantly, our kids get a nurturing and supportive environment where they can thrive during their formative years, one that will shape their entire educational trajectory.”

Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt added her perspective on the issue: “North Carolinians are hardworking and we have incredible systems like our community colleges to prepare people for the jobs of today and tomorrow. However, none of that matters if parents can’t go to work with peace of mind knowing their kids are safe and supported.” She believes the task force will address the child care crisis effectively.

Senator Jim Burgin echoed these sentiments by highlighting the significance of quality child care for families: "North Carolina’s strength lies in its families, and access to quality child care is crucial to their wellbeing.” He expressed pride in co-chairing the task force with Lieutenant Governor Hunt.

Governor Stein has issued an executive order establishing this task force. It aims to identify strengths and gaps within the current system, recommend investments in child care infrastructure from both public and private sectors, and work on recruiting and retaining a strong workforce for child care. The task force is expected to provide reports and recommendations both to the Governor and the public.