A recent EdNC article highlights three key policy priorities emerging from the CandL (Care and Learning) research and advocacy network:
- Ensuring early childhood educators receive fully funded wage supplements,
- Establishing a subsidy rate floor so child care programs are reimbursed at the cost of quality care, and
- Supporting family, friend, and neighbor caregivers through training, resources, and inclusion in the system. (ednc.org)
As fiscal sponsor of CandL, NCECF is proud to help anchor this initiative’s advocacy framework and advance a more equitable, accessible child care system for children, families, and providers across North Carolina. CandL brings together researchers, advocates, and community leaders to elevate the voices of those most directly impacted by child care challenges and to identify policy solutions that can move the state toward long-term sustainability. By aligning data, lived experiences, and advocacy, the network is building momentum for policies that not only stabilize the child care sector today, but also strengthen opportunities for children’s learning and family well-being for years to come.