The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.
We, the undersigned, understand that the current North Carolina budget means making tough decisions. However, we strongly believe that it is in North Carolina's best interest to maintain investments in the early education system in our state. North Carolina's prosperity depends on our ability to ensure that all children have the opportunity to develop intellectually, socially and emotionally. A child with a solid foundation becomes part of a solid community and contributes to our society.
North Carolina business owners, employees, and job seekers depend on high quality, reliable child care. Two-thirds of all North Carolina children ages birth through five live in families where all parents work. Studies show that high quality child care improves employee productivity, reduces absenteeism, and cuts turnover.
Our state's future workers are today's newborn babies. Building a strong and productive labor force largely depends on how we invest in children today. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, "Early childhood education has a tremendous impact on the national economic security and the viability of the American dream."
During the height of the recession, more than 800 parents, business leaders, elected officials, health care providers, early childhood professionals and others representing every county in the state agreed that ensuring access to high quality early childhood care and education programs needed to be a top priority for the state.
Please pledge to protect early care and education for North Carolina's birth to five children.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and hear our concerns.
Sincerely,
