Together we can achieve a bold vision…
Each North Carolina child has a strong foundation for life-long health, education, and well-being, supported by a comprehensive and equitable care and education system, from prenatal through third grade.
How We Do Our Work
We work to promote understanding, spearhead collaboration, and advance policies to ensure each North Carolina child is on track for lifelong success by the end of third grade. Much of this work happens through our initiatives:
- NC Pathways to Grade-Level Reading
- Family Forward NC
- NC Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
- Care and Learning (CandL)
- EarlyWell
- Local Funding for Early Learning
Supporting Children’s Optimal Development
Each child can have the opportunity to be on track by third grade with aligned policies and practices rooted in child development, including health and development on track beginning at birth, supported and supportive families and communities, and high-quality birth through third grade learning environments with regular attendance. Learn about the issues that support children’s optimal development beginning at birth.
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Latest News
Celebrating Success: Pathways to Grade-Level Reading Toolkit
We’re thrilled to announce the wrap-up of a monumental project: Pathways to Grade-Level Reading Five-Part Toolkit. This initiative has been a beacon of hope, aiming to ensure that every child in North Carolina, regardless of background, has the opportunity to…
How Early Childhood Professionals can Leverage Medicaid to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families
Recently, we released the final part of the five-part Pathways to Grade-Level Reading Policy and Practice Action Toolkit to provide guidance for how policymakers, advocates, community non-profits, the business community, and other stakeholders can support the well-being of all North…
Get to Know Theresa Roedersheimer, NCECF’s New Executive Director
Theresa Roedersheimer’s journey to executive director of NC Early Childhood Foundation has been fueled by a passion for early childhood development and a commitment to advocating for children and families across North Carolina.
In this conversation with Tracy Zimmerman, co-founder…
NC Employers: Use Your Voice for Child Care
The NC General Assembly is still in session, which means there is still time for our elected officials to address the immediate child care needs of our youngest children, their families, and child care providers across our state. Employers’ voices…