New Task Force Launched to Address Child Care Crisis in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (March 10, 2025) — Governor Josh Stein announced the formation of a new Task Force for Child Care and Early Education during his visit to Kate’s Korner Learning Center in Durham on Monday. The task force, co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt and Senator Jim Burgin, aims to enhance access to affordable, high-quality child care across North Carolina and support the workforce behind it.

Stein stated the necessity of this initiative, saying, “When we invest in child care, everyone benefits. Parents get to keep working and keep building their careers. Small businesses can keep their productive workers. Most importantly, our kids get a nurturing environment that supports their development during crucial formative years.”

According to Lieutenant Governor Hunt, the task force represents an urgent response to the child care crisis that prevents many North Carolinians from entering the workforce. “None of that matters if parents can’t go to work with peace of mind knowing their kids are safe and supported,” she said.

Senator Burgin echoed this sentiment, highlighting that quality child care is essential for families’ well-being and is a crucial investment in the state’s future. He said, “North Carolina’s strength lies in its families, and access to quality child care is crucial to their wellbeing. I am proud to co-chair this task force alongside Lieutenant Governor Hunt to ensure North Carolina is the best state to start a family.”

The task force will formally assess the current child care system’s strengths and weaknesses and is responsible for submitting recommendations on both public and private investments in child care infrastructure. Stein’s executive order mandates that the group will release an interim report in June, followed by more comprehensive findings by the end of the year.

Stein also revealed that the forthcoming budget proposal will include substantial investments aimed at increasing program quality and raising subsidy rates for child care services, particularly in rural communities.

During his address, the governor identified several critical issues facing North Carolina’s child care sector, including insufficient slots to meet demand and high costs affecting families. “Right now, we have only one child care slot for every five families that need one,” he said. Additionally, Stein noted the average cost of infant care in North Carolina is approximately $12,000 annually, exceeding even the cost of tuition at the University of North Carolina. “Economists suggest child care should constitute just 7% of a family’s income, yet four in five families spend more than that,” he stressed.

Stein pointed out that these financial burdens create barriers to work for many families and emphasize the need for action. “About 40% of child care workers rely on some form of public assistance because of low wages, which exacerbates the workforce shortage and ultimately limits access to child care slots for children, creating a vicious cycle,” he said.

The governor described the interdependence between adequate child care and economic stability, stating, “When we invest in child care, our entire society benefits. Parents get the opportunity to grow in their careers, small businesses flourish with committed employees, and children receive the essential support they need for their futures.”

Kate Goodwin, founder of Kate’s Korner, welcomed the governor and shared insights about the center’s initiatives for supporting educators, stating, “The most crucial factor in healing our early childhood ecosystem is focused on the welfare of our workforce.” She noted that staff members at Kate’s Korner benefit from livable wages, health insurance, mental health programs, and opportunities for professional development.

As a significant legislative session progresses, three notable bills have been introduced to improve child care measures in North Carolina. These include House Bill 115, which seeks to exempt child care facilities from property taxes, Senate Bill 98, which allocates recurring funding for a literacy initiative, and House Bill 316, which proposes extensive funding to expand pre-K services and subsidized child care across the state.

Hunt has also initiated her “Future-Ready North Carolina” policy plan, which aims to address community college access, child care solutions, and to broaden career readiness programs for students.

Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley underscored the economic ramifications of child care accessibility. “This is an economic issue, and with further investment and creativity, we can enhance North Carolina’s position as the best state for business,” he said.

Concluding the event, Stein reiterated that the establishment of the task force represents a critical step towards addressing the state’s child care challenges. “Child care and early childhood education is about the best investment we can make as a state,” he said.