Child Care & Economic Recovery Across NC During COVID-19

At the end of 2022, NCECF released a report that details how the impacts are felt differently based on one’s social and economic standing. North Carolina’s continued economic recovery from COVID-19 will require sustained attention to regional variations in child care availability and access to ensure robust workforce participation and educational attainment, especially among families with low socioeconomic status (SES), and working women in low SES households. The survey and the subsequent economic analysis uncovers that:

  • Continued economic recovery from COVID-19 will require sustained attention to child care affordability and availability for families, especially for mothers in low socioeconomic status households who have children under the age of three. 
  • Approximately, 400,000 working parents across NC are assumed to be constrained by child care needs, given that there are an estimated 610,000 children, aged 0-5 years. For example, on average, families in North Carolina pay nearly 41% more for child care than for rent, and families with one infant and one toddler spend one third of their income on child care.
  • Availability of child care was inconsistent across the state, with more than half of families, with children, in NC living in areas designated as “child care deserts,” with less than one slot for every three children aged 0-5 years.

The webinar will take place 11:00 am – 12:30 pm on January 19 and feature:

An opening Fireside Chat between our organization and the lead researcher: 

  • An introduction by Muffy Grant, Executive Director of the NC Early Childhood Foundation.
  • Co-author of the report, Dr. Iheoma Iruka

Part 2 of the conversation exploring what this content means from four different perspectives, moderated by Cory Biggs, of myFutureNC: 

  • J.B. Buxton, President of Durham Community College
  • Cassandra Brooks, owner and director of Little Believer’s Academy will discuss challenges recruiting and retaining child care professionals, as well as best practices in a reimagined equitable early care and education system
  • Crystal Morphis, Founder and CEO of Creative Economic Development Consulting and Women’s Economic Development Network leader. She will be discussing the impact of the lack of care on recruiting and retaining employers as part of a community/state economic development strategy
  • Alexandra Porter, will share her experience securing affordable, high-quality child care and its value for their family 

Part 3 exploring the perspectives and possibilities with two influential North Carolina legislators:

  • Senator Jim Burgin (R, District 12) and Rep. Ashton Clemmons (D, District 57), who will discuss possible NC government policy solutions

Finally, we will close with a question and answer discussion with attendees. 

Register for the webinar.

To learn more, reach out to Lindsay K. Saunders, read the full report or view and download an overview one-pager focused on: (1) the future of North Carolina’s economy, (2) uneven recovery across NC prosperity zones, or (3) barriers to educational attainment & career success.

Related Resources: 

Child Care & Economic Recovery Across North Carolina During COVID-19

NCECF Economic Report One-Pager Focus On: Barriers to Educational Attainment & Career Success

NCECF Economic Report One-Pager Focus On: The Future of North Carolina’s Economy

NCECF Economic Report One-Page Focus On: Uneven Recovery Across NC Prosperity Zones