First 2000 Days
Discover why the earliest years of brain development matter — and how communities can shape stronger outcomes from the start.
Building champions for early learning investments
The First 2000 Days initiative supports advocates in building bipartisan support for local, state and federal investments in children’s early learning by positioning early childhood as an issue that impacts all North Carolinians. Our toolkit helps engage unexpected voices as messengers and cultivate community influencers who champion early learning.
News and Resources
First 2000 Days Infographic
Find out why early learning investments are essential to North Carolina’s future.
Summer Learning Toolkit
Summer programs are vital to summer learning and ensuring that students stay on track academically. Program providers play an important and trusted role in supporting families and caregivers to help summer be both a break from school and a fun opportunity for learning. Using the practical tools included in this toolkit, YOU can help make it possible for every child to succeed.
Child Care Is Essential Infrastructure for North Carolina
Want a clear, visual way to show why child care is as vital to North Carolina’s economy as roads, energy, and broadband? Our one-page infographic distills the full report into powerful, easy-to-share insights that highlight the scale of the problem — and the solutions that work. This infographic is perfect for briefings, legislative meetings, chamber presentations, community conversations, and social media. Help decision-makers see the whole picture in a single glance.
Child Care and the North Carolina Economy: Why Early Education Is Essential for Growth and Opportunity
Want to understand what’s really driving North Carolina’s workforce challenges and what will move us forward? This report brings together the most important data, economic analysis, and policy solutions from 2019 to 2025 to show exactly how child care shapes our state’s economy. Inside, you’ll find: what inadequate child care is costing families, businesses, and the state; why infant and toddler care is the most fragile part of our system; how access, affordability, and quality intersect with workforce participation; and clear, research-backed recommendations that strengthen North Carolina’s economic future.
What can you do?
Build champions for early learning in your community and mobilize your community influencers to advocate for the importance of state and local investments in early childhood education. Use the First 2000 Days Toolkit to build your campaign.
First 2000 Days Timeline
Out-of-State Organizations Launch First 2000 Days Initiatives
Organizations in Wisconsin, Mississippi, Virginia, and Georgia purchase licenses to launch First 2000 Days initiatives.
Community Campaigns Build Advocacy Muscle
An independent evaluation of the First 2000 Days initiative found that local Smart Start partnerships gained public engagement skills, built new partnerships, expanded their base of support and integrated the message into their organizational communications.
First 2000 Days Summits Reach Across the State
1,400 faith and business leaders attend summits from Greenville to Rutherfordton to advocate for investments in young children. The President of the NC Sheriff’s Association asks all sheriffs to become champions of early learning.
The First 2000 Days Campaign Launches
The campaign debuts with educational and engagement tools in English and Spanish. Twenty-five North Carolina communities are selected to initiate campaigns.
First 2000 Days Partners
- The North Carolina Partnership for Children
- Local Smart Start organizations across the state