The NC Alliance of YMCAs, in partnership with the NC Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) and the NC Recreation and Parks Association (NCRPA), convened 26 North Carolina childcare stakeholders on  April 10, 2024, to workshop ideas for modifying childcare licensing rules to make them more developmentally appropriate for school-age children.

The desired meeting outcome was to reach consensus on strategies to pursue and to develop an action plan to achieve the identified strategies.

Participants agreed to work together to move our state toward age-appropriate licensure standards that will keep children safe while increasing access to child care subsidy for families. Summit stakeholders agreed on these short-term priorities:

• Modify subsidy eligibility to 85% of state median income for children of all ages
• Crosswalk of QRIS with American Camp Association Accreditation Standards for school-age appropriate licensure
• Collaboration with schools and NC Association of School Administrators around school property use
• Create educational pathways for school-age staff

This Executive Summary provides highlights and this report documents the proceedings of the Summit.