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North Carolina Child Care Grants, Programs and Services

Whether you are looking to start a child care program in North Carolina or are a seasoned owner, there are many resources available to help fund your programs. Each state has a primary agency or organization responsible for subsidizing child care programs. They partner with local child care resource and referral (CCR&R) agencies and shared services organizations to raise awareness of grant opportunities and support the distribution of funding. They also provide additional programs and services to help you run your business. 

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North Carolina Child Care Grants, Programs and Services 

Primary State Agency (Child Care Development Fund)

This primary agency oversees early care and education programs and services in North Carolina, and they are responsible for subsidizing child care programs from federal and state child care grants. Visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R Agency)

Child Care Resource & Referral agencies (CCR&Rs) are another great resource for assisting child care providers with available grants and funding and other resources. Find your local CCR&R.

Shared Services Organizations

The community of ECE leaders working to provide services to support sustainable child care programs is growing all the time. Reach out to your local organizations to learn more about their services. Visit NC ECE Shared Resources.

NAEYC Regional Affiliates

Join your local NAEYC affiliate to connect with professionals in your community at conferences, networking events, leadership opportunities, advocacy efforts and more. Visit North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children (NCAEYC).

Champions of Mixed Delivery Monthly Call

The Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC) and National Child Care Association (NCCA) and are partnering to offer Champions of Mixed Delivery, a series of monthly check-in calls to share and receive updates about key proposals, coordinate messaging and talking points and share resources for advocacy. View dates and register for a call here.

North Carolina Child Care Licensing Requirements

Learn more about child care licensing requirements in North Carolina.   

Learn more about North Carolina early learning standards

North Carolina Early Childhood Education Quality Ratings, Curriculum and Assessments

Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) 

Child care providers earn a rating when they meet quality standards. Many states require these quality standards in order to receive grants and additional funding. Learn more at Step Up to Quality.

State-Aligned Curriculum

Procare Solutions is partnering with Learning Beyond Paper to provide curriculum to our customers. No state approval is required, but you can be confident knowing your curriculum aligns to your state standards by implementing Procare Early Learning Powered by Learning Beyond Paper. This 100% digital curriculum addresses the needs of child care centers, daycares, preschools and early learning teachers. The curriculum provides 52 weeks of lesson plans that include learning tailored to seasons. The curriculum provides 52 weeks of lesson plans that include learning tailored to seasons. 

Assessments

Simplify the assessment process and meet North Carolina state standards with a unique early childhood assessment framework that makes clarity a key strength of your child care center’s assessments and communications.

Average Cost of Child Care in North Carolina

Understanding the cost of child care in North Carolina is important for both parents and child care providers. 

Annual Child Care Costs in North Carolina
North Carolina’s typical child care costs are near the national average. Infant care will cost families an average of $11,833 a year.

Child Care Affordability in North Carolina

North Carolina’s median household spends around 12% of their income on child care services for a single infant. 

More Information on North Carolina Child Care

Subsidized child care is one of North Carolina’s longest-running social programs, having been first offered in 1964. Visit North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for eligibility requirements and application information.

View child care costs in other states.

North Carolina Professional Development Training Requirements 

In North Carolina, it is required that early childhood professionals complete 5-20 hours of professional development every calendar year. Visit the National Database of Child Care Regulations website to find licensing regulations and requirements in your state. 

Bertelsen Education, a Procare Solutions Company provides IACET-accredited courses that meet state licensing requirements. Visit BertelsenEducation.com to purchase. 

Professional Development Resources

Professional development programs are designed to encourage, support and recognize early childhood professionals seeking to expand their skills to raise the quality of their programs. View a list of professional development resources for child care providers here.