NC Early Childhood Foundation

10/02/2026

What's happening with federal policies regarding child care? Join the discussion!

09/18/2026

📚 Every school day matters.

September is Attendance Awareness Month. Missing just two days of school each month can add up to chronic absenteeism — affecting learning, early literacy, friendships, and a child’s connection to school.

For young children, frequent absences often aren’t about “skipping school.” Health concerns, transportation challenges, food insecurity, economic hardship, and other barriers can make consistent attendance difficult for families.

The good news: North Carolina has made progress in reducing chronic absenteeism from its COVID-era high. By supporting families and addressing the barriers that keep children out of the classroom, we can keep that progress going.

Learn more about chronic absenteeism and strategies that can help: https://buff.ly/j0DY9Ih

🏫 Because every day in school is another opportunity to learn, connect, and grow.

Actionable Strategies For Increasing Attendance and Reducing Chronic Absenteeism Micere Keels and Lisa Finaldi | NCECF | August 21, 2025 Photo by note thanun on Unsplash Photo by note thanun on Unsplash North Carolina has invested heavily in strengthening the quality of early learning programs and p...

09/08/2026

📺 + 📚 = ❤️
We have BIG news for little readers!

Readers Are Built is teaming up with PBS North Carolina and Rootle to help more North Carolina families turn screen time into smart screen time — filled with opportunities to learn, talk, play, and connect.

And the timing couldn’t be better: Rootle is celebrating 10 years as PBS North Carolina’s 24/7 PBS KIDS channel! 🎉

Together, we’ll connect families with trusted, high-quality programming and resources that help build early literacy skills from birth through age 8.

Because readers aren’t built only when there’s a book open. They’re built through conversations, songs, play, everyday moments — and even a favorite PBS KIDS show enjoyed together.

We’re so excited about what’s ahead! 💙📚📺

Learn more: https://buff.ly/NfrgncK

09/04/2026

This Labor Day, let’s talk about what makes work possible. 👷🏽‍♀️👩🏻‍⚕️👨🏾‍💻

For millions of working parents, reliable, affordable child care is essential infrastructure. Yet child care gaps cost North Carolina an estimated $5.65 billion in lost economic activity every year — affecting families, employers, and communities across our state.

Supporting North Carolina’s workforce means supporting the child care system that allows parents to work, businesses to retain employees, and children to thrive.
This Labor Day, we’re making the connection: When child care works, North Carolina works.

Learn more and explore our fact sheet: https://bit.ly/4iMupRj

09/03/2026

📣 Readers Are Built is now on social media!

Our statewide early literacy initiative has new homes on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn — and we’d love for you to follow along.

Readers Are Built shares practical ideas, trusted resources, and simple ways families and communities can help young children build literacy skills through reading, talking, singing, playing, and meaningful screen time.

Follow Readers Are Built on your favorite platform — and help us spread the word by liking, following, and sharing with others who care about helping young readers thrive.

📚 Because readers are built everywhere — and every day is a chance to build a reader.

08/25/2026

We join millions around the world in mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, whose extraordinary legacy extends far beyond the music and joy she shared with generations.

Dolly understood something we believe deeply: Every child deserves the opportunity to become a reader. Through her lifelong commitment to literacy and the Imagination Library, she put free books into the hands of millions of children and helped families discover the joy of reading together.

Those of us working to build strong foundations for young children are grateful for the path she helped pave. We honor her legacy by continuing the work -- helping more children discover books, build a love of reading, and dream about all they can become.

Theresa Stacker, Executive Director
North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation

08/20/2026

The workday isn’t always 9-to-5. So why is child care? 🕐
Parents working early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and unpredictable shifts face an especially difficult challenge: finding reliable, affordable child care when they need it.
A new NCECF report explores the disconnect between today’s workforce and a child care system still largely built around traditional weekday hours — and what employers and policymakers can do to help.
Among the findings:
🔹 81% of working adults say flexible hours and schedules are a top workplace priority.
🔹 40% of North Carolina parents say they’ve left a job because it lacked flexibility.
🔹 More predictable schedules can benefit families and employers by supporting retention, attendance, and productivity.
Creating a child care system that works for today’s families will take all of us.
👉 Read “Meeting the Needs of Parents Working Nontraditional and Variable Shift Schedules” – https://bit.ly/4xRXnDS

To learn more about how predictable work schedules affect parents and children, and to access a one-page fact sheet presenting the problem, its impacts, and solutions, visit our Policy Center – https://bit.ly/3S1yu9z

08/19/2026

The challenges facing young children and families are significant. But so is the opportunity before us.

As we step into this next chapter, NCECF remains committed to connecting partners, advancing evidence-based solutions, and championing the policies and practices that help every child build a strong foundation for lifelong health, education, and well-being.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We're proud of this new beginning, and even more excited about what we'll accomplish together in the months and years ahead.

Visit our new site to learn more and get involved: BuildTheFoundation.org

08/07/2026

Last week, we officially launched our new brand and website.

One of the greatest rewards has been hearing from so many of you since the launch. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with partners sharing that our new website and visual identity make it easier to understand who we are, what we do, and how our work fits into the larger effort to support children and families. That's exactly what we hoped to accomplish. Clearer communication leads to stronger connections, and stronger connections create greater impact.

Whether you're looking for resources, opportunities to engage, or simply to learn more about our initiatives, we think you'll find a clearer picture of the work we're doing together at BuildTheFoundation.org

08/05/2026

This brand refresh gave us the chance to reflect on who we are as an organization, how we've grown over time, and where we're headed as a team. NCECF is a statewide leader, a convener of change, and a committed advocate for North Carolina's children and families.

And our new brand reflects our long-time commitment to this work. We've always been rooted in outcomes for North Carolina's children and families, and now we're seeing our work blossom.

Visit BuildTheFoundation.org to access policy resources and solutions, learn more about the initiatives we lead and coalition we power, and find ways to get involved in this work.