Child Care and Early Education

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• Child Care and Early Education
• Leadership North Carolina Conference
• Greenville, NC
• February 6, 2009
• Stephanie Fanjul
• President, The North Carolina Partnership for
  Children, Inc.

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Todays children are our future leaders, parents
and workers. NCs prosperity depends on their
healthy development and growth. Smart Start
Vision Every child reaches his or her
potential and is prepared for success in a
global community.
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• In 1993, The North Carolina Partnership for
  Children, Inc. was created to lead Smart Start.
  Today, 78 partnerships that use public and
  private funds to serve all 100 counties.

Smart Start Local Partnerships
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• Smart Start has raised the quality of the
  states early childhood programshelping our
  children develop the social, emotional, and
  academic foundations that will serve them
  throughout life.

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• Smart Start has been especially successful in
  serving the needs of at-risk children.

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• Smart Start brings together families, teachers,
  doctors, dentists, libraries, schools and many
  others to create a comprehensive system of child
  care and education for children.

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• In her new book, Child Care Today, bestselling
  child development author Penelope Leach cites
  North Carolinas Smart Start program as a
  pathfinder in the nation.

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• Smart Start Works
• Child care quality has increased since Smart
  Start began
• Smart Start-funded activities were positively
  related to classroom quality
• Quality was positively related to childrens
  outcomes
• Source FPG Child Development Institute (2003)

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• Smart Start is a national leader in early
  childhood education. Every state in the nation
  has requested assistance and resources from Smart
  Start.

States currently receiving intensive technical
assistance.
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Economic Impact of Child Care

• Generates 1.77 billion annually more than
  Panthers, Hurricanes, Bobcats and all spectator
  sports combined
• Provides more than 47,000 jobs
• Allows parents to work outside home providing
  necessary services for NCs businesses

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• It is critical to ensure the healthy
  development of children in the State and improve
  outcomes for all children in order to ensure the
  future success of our State and our citizens.
• The NC Legislative Study Commission on Children
  and Youth