Quality child care is essential for North Carolinians.

• It’s vital to enable children to learn, grow and thrive in a safe environment outside of school hours.

•  It’s vital to enable parents to continue supporting their families and contributing to NC’s workforce and economic success. 

The Challenges

• In 2024, NC CEOs declared child care access is critically important to recruiting and retaining employees, staving off absenteeism and enhancing productivity. Yet, enrollment is out of school time programs (before/afterschool and summer day camp) is dropping, despite high demand—largely due to a lack of child care workforce. Data/Reports:
  • Empowering Work: How Increasing Employment Among Parents of Young Children Can Grow North Carolina’s Economy (NC Dept. of Commerce and NC Child, October 2024)
     
  • Untapped Potential in NC: How Childcare Impacts North Carolina’s Workforce Productivity and the State’s Economy (US Chamber Foundation, NC Chamber Foundation and NC Child, June 2024 
     
  • NC Chamber Foundation Voter Survey Infographic (2023)
     
• Current state licensure rules for before/afterschool programs are written with the needs of very young children (0-5) in mind, rather than school-age children, but 45% of all children served through Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) are school-age (5-12). 
   
• The unintended consequence of these rules creates barriers for school-age child care providers to license their programs.

Our Opportunity: Modernizing Licensure for School-aged Child Care 

• The NC Alliance of YMCAs is working in coalition with partners to modernize licensure standards to be developmentally appropriate for school-aged kids. 
   
• In 2025, the NC Child Care Rules are being examined/revised for the first time in 10 years.
   
• The Y is dedicated to educating NC lawmakers, policymakers and business leaders about Smart Child Care Solutions that will move our state forward, enabling parents access to quality care for school-aged children while they work and help fuel our state’s economy.
   
• School-aged care IS child care, providing vital support for working families.
   
• Child care is not babysitting; child care requires staff who are trained in delivering enrichment programs and positive youth development outcomes.
   
• Professional development for licensed child care providers must be achievable and manageable to benefit both employers and those who want to enter the child care profession.
   
• Government and business investment in child care is critical to North Carolina’s economic well-being.
   
• Modernized licensure rules tailored to school-aged children and increased investment by government and business partners will enhance access to quality care across all age groups.
   
• Modernization efforts prioritize school-aged children’s health and safety while ensuring quality.

You Can Help

Contact the NC Alliance of YMCAs for more information or to join our coalition to support school-aged child care.