Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina has announced the release of the 2025 year-end report from the North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education. The task force, co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt and Senator Jim Burgin, has proposed six strategies to improve the accessibility and affordability of child care across the state. The report highlights the importance of child care in supporting the workforce and outlines opportunities to implement these recommendations. The task force’s efforts are part of an ongoing initiative to address child care challenges in North Carolina.
The task force was established by Governor Stein in March 2025 and has been working with various experts to address issues related to child care finance, workforce support, and access. The 2025 year-end report updates earlier recommendations, focusing on setting a subsidy reimbursement rate floor and exploring non-salary benefits for child care professionals. Additionally, the report emphasizes the development of partnerships with educational institutions and the exploration of subsidized or free child care for child care teachers. The creation of a child care endowment and linking existing workforce programs are also key focus areas.
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley emphasized the critical role of child care access in maintaining a skilled workforce in North Carolina. Lieutenant Governor Hunt and Senator Burgin highlighted the need for continued legislative support to treat child care as an essential service for working families. The task force plans to continue its efforts by developing action plans, exploring funding opportunities, and advocating for investments in child care and early education during the upcoming legislative session.
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