The Importance of Child Care Subsidies in North Carolina

Key Findings

North Carolina’s subsidized child care program effectively meets two urgent needs—fostering the healthy development of children and ensuring that low-income working parents have the supports they need to maintain and pursue employment and education.

While the state’s subsidized child care program is well-known for its high-quality programs, investment has not kept up with the demand. There are more than 34,000 eligible children who are unable to access child care subsidies due to lack of funding. Funding streams have been further compromised by sequestration and the government shutdown.

In order to support the economic stability of families today as well as drive economic growth in the future, North Carolina must renew its investment in child care subsidies and early childhood programs.