Early Childhood Focus

NBC-17 Investigates: NC's Growing Illegal Child Care Problem

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:57:18 PST

EXCERPT FROM: NBC-17
By Charlotte Huffman
RALEIGH, N.C. -- State budget cuts are being blamed for a growing trend of illegal underground child care centers, and some parents even say the illegal care is sometimes their only option.

State Budget Cuts Increase the Market for Illegal Childcare Centers

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:25:15 PST

EXCERPT FROM: NBC17.com
By Charlotte Huffman
RALEIGH, N.C. -- State budget cuts are being blamed for how illegal daycare centers are slipping through the cracks in North Carolina.

Perdue Strikes at Pre-kindergarten Fees

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:15:10 PST

EXCERPT FROM: NewsObserver.com
By Lynn Bonner
Gov. Bev Perdue on Wednesday ordered pre-kindergarten classes be open to all eligible at-risk children even if their families cannot afford new fees.

DSS Sees Long Waiting List for Child Care Assistance

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:50:17 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Burlington Times News
By Chris Lavender
The waiting list is long and the needs are great for those seeking financial aid from the Alamance County Department of Social Services to help pay for child day care services.

Agencies Watching State Budget Talks

Thu, 05 May 2011 09:24:25 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Montgomery Herald
By Linda Beaulieu
The North Carolina legislature still has a way to go to before a final budget is passed, but local agencies that receive state funding are watching the process carefully as the budget makes its way from House to Senate, then Conference Committee and eventually on to Governor Purdue.

Child Care Subsidy Program Faces Cuts in Surry County

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 10:00:33 PST

EXCERPT FROM: News 14
By Ed Scannell
DOBSON, N.C. -- The Surry County Department of Social Services may have to cut some children from its child care subsidy program this month unless the state answers its call for additional funding. Officials said the situation may force some parents who have struggled to find employment to quit their jobs.

Child Care Demand is Balancing Out

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:29:38 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Watauga Democrat
By Scott Nicholson
Although the economy has created adjustments in both services and the need for child care, the supply of available childcare slots is generally meeting demand.

The Childcare Dilemma

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 13:43:11 PST

EXCERPT FROM: John W. Pope Civitas Institute
By Andrew Henson
2011 finds North Carolina in the abyss of recession: high unemployment, low private sector job growth, and state government scrambling to fill a $3.7 billion budget hole. In a year when state finances are scarcer than any other time in recent history, virtually all government programs will be cut back; it is merely a question of how much.

DSS Forced to Cap Child Care Subsidy

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:22:30 PST

EXCERPT FROM: The Mount Airy News
By Meghann Evans
DOBSON � When people go back to work, they often come to the Surry County Department of Social Services to ask for assistance paying for day care. But if they ask for help now, they�re just going to have to wait.

Families Left on Wait List for Child Care

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:57:18 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Gaston Gazette
By Diane Turbyfill
Hundreds of Gaston County families get federal money for child care, but 600 children remain on a waitlist despite millions of dollars trickled down through the Gaston County Department of Social Services.

Child Care Offers 24 Hour Service, Plus New Jobs

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:54:06 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Gaston Gazette
By Rebecca Clark
Parents looking for child care options have been offered a new choice.

Forum Will Address Child Care

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:12:21 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Times-News Online
By Brittany Jackson
Some local experts say there's a way to simultaneously save taxpayers money, reduce crime and lower prison costs, as well as spend less on remedial and special education programs -- investing in and maintaining quality early childhood education.

Child Care Subsidies Face Cutbacks Amid Budget Woes

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:09:40 PST

EXCERPT FROM: News14.com
By Jennifer Moxley
CONCORD � There is a long list of families across the state waiting for government subsidies to help pay for child care.

Update: Rockingham Community College to Close Child Care

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:20:19 PST

EXCERPT FROM: News & Record
By Staff Reporter
WENTWORTH � Rockingham Community College will close its five-star child development center on May 28 because of low enrollment and rising operating costs.

$16 Million Cut From Smart Start

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:22:23 PST

EXCERPT FROM: Times-News Online
By Jessica Goodman
The North Carolina General Assembly cut $16 million in funding for Smart Start, and one program in Henderson County was eliminated because of the budget crisis.

Award-winning Child-care Center at College

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:22:34 PST

Peachtree � Tri-County Community College has been experiencing all-time enrollment highs, though the on-campus childcare center has been suffering from a lack of families utilizing the service.

Military Child Care Program Adds 200 Slots

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:35:32 PST

Lynda Bien-Aimes calls the funding stream that helps her with child care expenses "an angel in disguise."

New Resource Now Available to Help Families Pay for Child Care

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:56:57 PST

Working families now have another resource to help them cover the cost of high-quality child care. Child Care Services Association is now providing financial assistance to help connect Durham County families with high-quality care in 3, 4 and 5-star child care facilities. This new program, the Smart Start Child Care Scholarship Program, is funded through Durham�s Partnership for Children, a Smart Start initiative, and is designed to complement the child care subsidy program administered by Durham�s Alliance for Child Care Assess.

Economic Slump Hits Valley Child Care

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:41:26 PST

LITTLETON � The slumping economy and high unemployment rate is causing some area child care centers to struggle.

Financial Woes May Force Davidson Child Care to Close

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:50:54 PST

DAVIDSON, N.C. -- A unique day care is facing a not-so-unique problem. After 40 years of business, they could have to shut down soon because of the economy.