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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.
What would you like to learn?
Thank you to Smart Start of Mecklenburg County for providing guidance on core content as Lead Agency for this folio.
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 later in life.
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
Scroll down for key facts on early childhood
68%
of children under age six in Charlotte-Mecklenburg are in families with all available parents working
115
classrooms served by MECK Pre-K across more than 47 child care centers
82%
of children in MECK Prek-K were shown to be Kindergarten ready in 2024
90%
of brain development occurs before age five
6,162
children served through public Pre-K programs in 2024
11%
increase in potential high school graduation rates for students who went through preschool
Sources
- How Smart Start of Mecklenburg County’s Family-Focused Workplace Aligns with the US Surgeon General’s Advisory on Mental Health
- MECK Pre-K expands to 115 classrooms, free for residents
- Mecklenburg County Adopted Budget 2026
- Brain Development
- Impacts of Early Childhood Education on Medium- and Long-Term Educational Outcomes
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 early childhood 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. Many middle-income families, however, were still without affordable options.
In 2018, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners approved funding to launch MECK Pre-K. The decision positioned early childhood education as a priority of our county.
MECK Pre-K, free and open to all four-year-olds, now serves over 2,000 children each year.
Donate or volunteer now
To explore additional nonprofits working in early childhood, visit SHARE Charlotte’s directory for Early Childhood Education, Babies, Parenting, Family Support Services.
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Starting points
These six organizations are good starting points for someone new to this topic to learn more.
Charlotte is home to a growing network of people and organizations who believe in building a stronger, more connected community for all.
Explore more resources below.
Explore More
Provides solutions for economic stability for families in Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville
Provides early childhood programming to positively affect the future of children at risk by improving their economic mobility through education.
Works to provide an equitable future for children and families through culturally responsive education.
A dual language preschool program, helping children build kindergarten readiness
Provides access to superior speech-language and hearing services that empower and transform lives.
A program for young children before kindergarten or pre-kindergarten to help children learn.
A private, nonprofit child care referral agency that works to help ensure that children have access to high-quality, affordable early learning.
Coordinates the investigation, treatment and prosecution of child abuse cases as the only children’s advocacy center in Mecklenburg County.
Learning-focused children’s museum with interactive exhibits in various themed areas & live shows.
Supports families who have children from birth to age three who have developmental delays.
Ensures that families with babies and children living with poverty have an adequate supply of diapers and distributes additional basic needs through community partners.
Provides a tuition-free, high quality preschool education through a unique partnership with students, families, parents.
A high quality pre-K program open to all four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County at no cost to families.
Aggregator of services and resources dedicated to the health and safety of our diverse and changing community today.
In partnership with clinicians, Reach Out and Read leverages the well-child visit, using books.
Mobilizes resources, partnerships, and supports families to improve early childhood health, education and development.
Provides comprehensive, evidence-based and trauma-informed care for children (ages 0–18) and their families through prevention programs, mental health services, and foster care support.
Offers fitness programs to youth in the Charlotte area that foster meaningful connections, build community, and inspire change.
Tools and Resources
Everything you need in one place. Browse articles, reports, and tools that support your journey.
Lingo to Know
Every topic has its own vocabulary. Learn a few key words here so you can explore with confidence.
Early childhood education
The structured learning, care, and developmental support provided to children from birth through age five, before they enter kindergarten.
Evidence-based principles
Strategies derived from rigorous research, proven to support healthy child developments.
High-quality early learning
Early education programs that meet strong standards for teacher training, curriculum, class size, and child outcomes.
Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K)
Structured early education programs for children (typically age four) designed to prepare them for kindergarten.
School readiness
The level at which a child is prepared to succeed in kindergarten, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.
Social-emotional development
A child’s ability to understand emotions, build relationships, and manage behavior; a strong predictor of long-term academic and life success.
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