In a recent move by the North Carolina government, Governor Josh Stein shared the annual report from the North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education. Recognizing the pressing need to tackle the difficulties faced by families struggling with soaring child care costs, a bipartisan effort has laid down a series of recommendations aimed at making child care more accessible and affordable across the state, according to a press release from the Governor's Office.
Gov. Stein emphasized the impact of expensive child care on parents' ability to work, stressing the importance of transforming these recommendations into tangible improvements. "Too many families in our state can’t afford to work because child care is expensive and in short supply," Stein said, as per the press release. Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt and Senator Jim Burgin, co-chairs of the task force, have pinpointed practical measures to address the issue statewide. In the upcoming year, the task force will persist in advocating for these measures, and with the support of various stakeholders, they aim to see significant progress in addressing the needs of both families and employers, as per the Governor's Office.
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley underlines that child care is not just a domestic concern but a pivotal aspect of the state's economic drive and workforce readiness. Affordable child care is integral to empowering skilled individuals to contribute to North Carolina’s thriving market. Lt. Gov. Hunt detailed the task force's dedication over the past year to crafting solutions that span all 100 counties, directly addressing the budget strains families endure.
In 2025, a preliminary report by the task force was released with six actionable recommendations such as establishing a minimum child care subsidy reimbursement rate and building ways to provide non-salary benefits for child care professionals. The group also proposed exploring subsidized or even free child care specifically for child care teachers, and the creation of a child care endowment, stating that these initiatives are critical for the education opportunities of young children, according to Senator Burgin. Burgin further noted their unwavering commitment for 2026, with the hope of significant legislative efforts to invest in these strategies as the General Assembly convenes.
Open to the public, those interested in the ongoing efforts of the task force can stream their meetings through the North Carolina Department of Commerce YouTube channel. More details on the group's composition, reflecting a broad spectrum of expertise across government, education, and the private sector, and their comprehensive December 2025 report.
