The North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education has released its 2025 year-end report, outlining six recommendations to improve access to affordable, high-quality child care in the state. The task force is led by Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt and Senator Jim Burgin (NC-12), who serve as bipartisan co-chairs.
Governor Josh Stein announced the release of the report, stating, “Too many families in our state can’t afford to work because child care is expensive and in short supply. I look forward to working with leaders in government and the private sector to turn these recommendations into results. Doing so represents a win-win-win: It gets parents the freedom to work, kids the safe start they need, and employers the workforce necessary to keep North Carolina’s economy thriving.”
Lieutenant Governor Hunt emphasized ongoing efforts over the past year: “Right now, everything feels more expensive for families, and child care is one of the biggest costs they’re trying to manage. Over the past year, the Task Force on Child Care and Early Education has focused on real, practical ways to make child care more affordable and accessible in all 100 counties. In the year ahead, we’ll keep pushing that work forward and urging leaders in the General Assembly to treat child care like the essential support for working families that it is.”
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley highlighted how child care impacts employment opportunities: “Employers bringing well-paying jobs to North Carolina want to know our workforce is ready and able to fill them. Child care access is critical to ensuring skilled, talented North Carolinians can work, and it’s key to helping employers achieve their goals.”
Senator Jim Burgin commented on future plans: “North Carolina’s children and families are counting on investment in child care and early education. In 2026, the task force will remain steadfast in our commitment to improving education opportunities for young children and child care access for working families.”
The task force was established by Governor Stein through Executive Order No. 10 in March 2025. Throughout its meetings this year, members examined issues such as funding models for child care programs; compensation strategies for staff; solutions tailored for public sector workers; addressing needs during community recovery from natural disasters; supporting military communities; tracking changes in available services; as well as sharing examples of local initiatives expanding access across different regions.
In June 2025, a preliminary report set out six focus areas which remain central:
– Establishing a statewide floor for subsidy reimbursement rates
– Providing non-salary benefits for professionals
– Partnering with higher education institutions—including UNC System schools—and K-12 districts
– Exploring subsidized or free options specifically for teachers
– Linking existing compensation/support programs
– Considering creation of a dedicated endowment
Work groups will continue developing action plans based on these priorities throughout this year. Future meetings will address leveraging current funding streams—both public and private—to support expansion efforts further. Discussions will also include employer-led initiatives as well as updates regarding pilots such as North Carolina’s Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program.
Task force membership includes representatives from government agencies at multiple levels alongside nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, health systems, business leaders, higher education officials, foundations dedicated to children’s issues, military family advocates among others.
Meetings are open for public attendance either in person or via livestream through channels managed by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Additional resources including Executive Order No. 10 establishing this initiative are available online along with links providing further information about ongoing efforts by the task force.
