Raise NC
Raise NC
North Carolina relies on quality early childhood care and education teachers and programs to support children’s healthy development and learning, allow parents to work and keep businesses running. Yet our birth-to-five programs are in crisis—one that has been decades in the making and was exacerbated by the pandemic.
Raise North Carolina is a public education campaign to build appreciation and support for North Carolina's early care and learning network and the teachers who serve children, families, and North Carolina.
Explore our resources to learn more. Share PSAs and information with families, friends and your community. Raise your voice and show communities across North Carolina rely on early childhood programs and teachers to produce better education, health, and economic outcomes for our state.
Raise your voice to Raise NC. Explore and download the full suite of easy-to-use educational and promotional materials, including flyers, social media posts, graphics, talking points and more. Whether you’re an organization or an individual, these materials are free.
North Carolina’s early care and learning network partners with families to support their young children’s development and prepare them for success in school and life.
Child Care Resource & Referral Council (CCR&R)
CCR&R help families find the early care, education and school-age child care options that best suit their needs and work directly with child care providers, businesses and communities to improve the quality and variety of child care services.
NC Pre-K Information for Parents
The NC Pre-K Program is designed to provide high-quality educational experiences to enhance school readiness for eligible four-year-old children. Check eligibility, learn how to apply and get help finding NC Pre-K programs.
Child Care Financial Assistance
If a family meets the eligibility criteria, and the local county department of social services has funds available, the state of North Carolina may help pay a portion of the cost of child care.
Smart Start
Smart Start is North Carolina’s nationally-recognized initiative to ensure that every child reaches his or her potential and is prepared to succeed in a global community. Smart Start helps working parents pay for child care, improves the quality of child care and provides health and family support services in every North Carolina county.
Division of Child Development and Early Education
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) ensures the health and safety of children in child care programs, promotes quality child care by implementing evidenced-based standards and works to increase access to quality child care to families and children across North Carolina. Find resources for parents, early care and learning programs and teachers.
Rootle Readiness from PBS North Carolina
PBS North Carolina Education and its partners provide educational resources to help families learn and grow together as they prepare their children for success in school and life.
North Carolina is making it easier for high school students to become early childhood teachers. Help prepare young children for success in school and life.
Early Childhood Teacher: Pathways to the Profession
Get an early childhood introduction, hands-on experience, and/or college credit.
At the center of NC’s early care and learning network are thousands of providers and teachers with a deep commitment to the healthy development of children and the families and communities they serve.
Early Childhood Teacher: Pathways to the Profession
North Carolina is making it easier for high school students to become early childhood teachers—and current professionals can get college credit for their work experience toward a degree in early childhood education. Help prepare young children for success in school and life.
Share Your Story
By sharing your experiences, you help parents, childfree families, policymakers, business leaders, media and others understand the essential role you play in the lives of children and families, your community and the North Carolina economy.
Child Care Resource & Referral Council (CCR&R)
Whether you’re an established child care provider or just getting started, CCR&R can help with the training, technical assistance and resources you need.