North Carolina spent decades building an early childhood system. What will it take to sustain it?
EdNC's updates on early childcare and early literacy
Hello, Early Bird readers! This is Mebane, EdNC’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief. I’ll be taking the lead on Early Bird, which is expanding to include literacy. This year, Amy Rhyne, the former senior director of the Office of Early Learning at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, will be writing for EdNC. You can get to know Amy and read her articles here.
When North Carolina lawmakers passed a state budget in early July 2026, it directed $97 million in additional recurring federal funds to raise the rates childcare providers receive through the state’s childcare subsidy program. Later, a second technical corrections bill increased the appropriations for childcare services by $60 million. The new childcare subsidy rates went into effect this past week.
State and national philanthropists will consider two other articles published by EdNC at a conference in North Carolina on Oct. 28-30, 2026, held by the Early Childhood Funders Collaborative: this look at the last 40 years by Amy Rhyne and this look at the next 40 years by Iheoma U. Iruka.
The report by Amy Rhyne is premised on this EdNC timeline of the history and evolution of early childhood education in North Carolina from 1990 to 2026.
We’d love your feedback on the timeline, the look back, and the look forward. Please email me at mrash at ednc.org.
It’s our privilege to be able to do this kind of in-depth research. When you support EdNC, you make a difference for our earliest learners and our earliest readers, but also for our state and our future. Thank you.
More from EdNC on early childhood
North Carolina spent decades building an early childhood system. What will it take to sustain it?
For more than 35 years, North Carolina has pioneered approaches to early childhood workforce development, local partnerships, quality improvement, and public pre-K. That history shows how the state's understanding of early childhood has evolved and why financing the system remains one of its most persistent challenges.Start with equity: Strengthening North Carolina’s early childhood system for the next 40 years
Editor’s note: This article, along with this one by Amy Rhyne, will be considered by state and national philanthropists at a conference in North Carolina on Oct. 28-30, 2026, held by the Early Childhood Funders Collaborative. North Carolina is celebrated...NC's budget invested millions more in the state childcare subsidy program. Here’s how to find out where those dollars will go
Editor’s note: New childcare subsidy rates will go into effect on Oct. 1. EdNC will update this article when the October expenditure report reflecting these changes is available. When North Carolina lawmakers passed a state budget in early July 2026, it...New literacy data shows promising gains for North Carolina students
North Carolina’s latest literacy data show gains across the early grades, including a notable rebound in third grade reading proficiency after a dip the previous year.Chirp! Chirp! Opportunities to share your voice
Share your thoughts on the Head Start regulatory changes. Comments are open until Oct. 6.
The big picture for little kids
Legislative Updates
The N.C. General Assembly convenes on Oct. 26, 2026, at noon.
News & Research
- Blue Ribbon Commission adopts recommendations on teacher pay and literacy, discusses financial management - From EdNC
- Hurricane Helene shows childcare is key to disaster resilience - From The Daily Yonder via EdNC
- Planning to vote in the 2026 general election? Here’s what you need to know - From EdNC
- Perspective | Isothermal builds early childhood workforce by helping students stay the course - From Dogwood Health Trust via EdNC
- More Books for American Families - From capita + Book Harvest
- Coherence, not Cuts: Educator Perspectives on How to Improve ECE Regulation - From NAEYC
Taking flight! Opportunities to spread your wings
The NAEYC Annual Conference will be held on Dec. 5-8, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Here is how to register.
The Care and Learning (CandL) Coalition is recruiting its first cohort of 10-15 ambassadors to help elevate community voices and strengthen outcomes for children and families across North Carolina. Beginning in 2027, ambassadors will receive training and opportunities to build local partnerships, share community experiences and priorities, and help educate policymakers about issues affecting families. Parents, caregivers, early childhood professionals, community and faith leaders, business leaders, college students, and others who care about children and families are encouraged to apply — no previous advocacy or policy experience is required. Ambassadors will commit at least six hours per month and receive $25 per hour, with approved travel and program expenses reimbursed separately. Learn more about the CandL Ambassador Program and apply today.
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