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Early Childhood refers to coordinated efforts that equip individuals with the skills, education, social capital, and training needed to access, retain, and advance in quality jobs—while also ensuring employers and local economies have the talent pipelines necessary to thrive.
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What is Early Childhood?
The earliest years in a child’s life – from birth to age five – lay the foundation for a lifetime of health, learning and economic opportunity. More is happening in a child’s brain during this period than any other stage of life.
High-quality early education creates a foundation for building life skills, such as learning language and regulating emotions.
Research shows that children who participate in early learning programs are more likely to enter kindergarten prepared to read and work well with others. They are also more likely to graduate from high school and secure stable employment.
These programs can level the playing field, leading to opportunities for children, regardless of family income or neighborhood.
When we invest in early education, we provide environments that support healthy development during a crucial time of growth. Finding ways to support initiatives aimed at Pre-K and early development are among the most effective ways we can make an impact in our communities.
Key Facts
68%: 68% of children under age six in Charlotte-Mecklenburg are in families with all available parents working.
$66 million: The annual funding increase approved in 2018 by Mecklenburg County to launch Meck Pre-K.
90%: The amount of brain development that occurs before age five.
12-18 months: Children from lower-income families can be 12-18 months behind in language and cognitive skills by age three.
11%: Preschool participation can potentially increase high school graduation rates by 11%, while reducing special education placement and grade retention.
What is happening now?
Mecklenburg County’s universal pre-K investment is a response to a hard truth: to provide fair opportunities for children, we need to start before kindergarten.
The catalyst for action was a 2014 Harvard study ranking Charlotte 50th out of 50 large U.S. cities for economic mobility, making early education a priority in local policy conversations.
Some programs were in place, but served only a fraction of eligible children.
In the early 20th century, access to early education was largely provided by churches, nonprofits, and civic groups. A major shift began in the 1990s when North Carolina launched Smart Start, a public-private initiative designed to improve childcare quality and expand access.
This led to the growth of publicly funded programs in Mecklenburg County primarily serving low-income or at-risk kids. Middle-income families, however, were still without affordable options.
By 2018, County Manager Dena Diorio and the Board of County Commissioners approved a funding increase to launch Meck Pre-K. The decision positioned early childhood education as part of the fabric of our county – not a side program.
Meck Pre-K, free and open to all four-year-olds, now serves 2,070 children.
Key Organizations
Mobilizes resources, partnerships, and supports families to improve early childhood health.
A private, nonprofit child care referral agency that works to help ensure children have access to high-quality.
A high quality pre-K program open to all four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County at no cost to families.
Provides a tuition free, high quality preschool education through a unique partnership.
A dual language preschool program, helping children build kindergarten readiness
A program for young children before kindergarten or pre-kindergarten to help children learn.
Aggregator of services and resources dedicated to the health and safety of our diverse and changing community today.
Explore more Workforce Organizations
Our list highlights key organizations advancing workforce opportunity in Charlotte.
To explore additional nonprofits working in workforce advancement, visit SHARE Charlotte’s directory for Workforce Development, Employment, Professional Development, and Life Skills organizations.
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