North Carolina
Working families in North Carolina need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in North Carolina. But too many working families in North Carolina are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the North Carolina economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
In the state, 64% of children have all available parents participating in the workforce, while the average cost of care is $12,370 a year (or $1,031 per month).
More than 27,500 children ages 5 and under have child care costs subsidized through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), or 15% of those eligible. The average copay with a CCDBG subsidy is $414 a month.
19.5K children receive care, learning, nutrition, and other services at no cost through Early Head Start/Head Start (or 8% of those eligible for Early Head Start and 20% of those eligible for Head Start).
And 197.1K working families have the cost of their child care offset through the Child + Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC).
However, many working parents still struggle to access affordable, quality child care, which costs the state’s economy an estimated $5.0 billion each year in lost earnings and productivity.
North Carolina: In The Headlines
NC announces $20 million to expand childcare in storm recovery areas
NC Newsline | September 3, 2026
The funding is part of a $75 million federal grant awarded to the state for childcare recovery in disaster-affected areas. Applications for the $20 million program will open Sept. 14 and close Nov. 2.
As Providers Struggle to Hire, Durham Child Care Seats Go Empty
Indy | aUGUST 11, 2026
The demand for seats in infant and toddler classrooms is particularly acute, said Jameka Wells, director of programs at Durham’s Partnership for Children.
North Carolina congressional leaders find common ground on child care, families, and workforce
EdNC | August 25, 2026
Members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation and their staff joined early childhood leaders from across the state to discuss the issues affecting young children and families.
North Carolina Resources & News
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