2026 Policy Priorities

1) Advocate for reimbursement rates for the Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program that align with the true cost of care and eliminate harmful disparities among counties: 

• Secure $80 million in recurring funding to increase rates from the 2021 Market Rate Survey to the most recent (2023) Market Rate Survey.
  
• Secure $21 million in additional recurring funding for a new statewide “rate floor” for infants and toddlers based on the average statewide market rate.
  

2) Advocate for legislative actions to help licensed child care programs access and afford crucial liability insurance.

3) Secure funding for new pathways for credentialed Lead Teachers and retention bonuses to work in a licensed child care program and complete at least one year of Lead Teaching.

• Advocate for funding for 10 additional Child Care Academies that would deliver new ready-for-work Lead Teachers with an NC Early Childhood Credential in three or fewer weeks through an intensive fast-track program at no cost to participants, and deliver newly credentialed Lead Teachers a $500 stipend if they complete one year of continuous employment as a Lead Teacher in an NC licensed child care program after completing the Academy.  
  

4) Secure funding to expand behavioral/mental health supports for licensed child care programs and children/families in care.

• Advocate for $15 million in nonrecurring funds over two years to the NC Partnership for Children for exclusive use to expand mental and behavioral health services for children, families and staff in child care facility settings and out-of-school programs.
  

5) Secure rule change(s) that would allow licensed child care centers to use two FTEs to meet the requirements of a Level III Administrator/Director (instead of one) and ensure that programs receive equivalent quality (QRIS) credit toward a star rating/rated license.