Smart Start is North Carolina's nationally recognized and award-winning early childhood initiative designed to ensure that young children enter school healthy and ready to succeed.

Smart Start is a public-private initiative that provides early education funding to all of the state's 100 counties. Smart Start funds are administered at the local level through local nonprofit organizations called Local Partnerships. The North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) is the statewide nonprofit organization that provides oversight and technical assistance for local partnerships. Services at the local level range depending on local needs. Funding for Smart Start is currently $192 million in state funds. Smart Start has raised more than $200 million in donations since it began.

Exerp from the Smart Start Presentation

Early Education System for North Carolina
Karen Ponder, President
North Carolina Partnership for Children

Smart Start History

- Created in 1993 by Governor Jim Hunt.
- First year, 12 partnerships serving 18 counties.
- Planning and funding initiative.
- Local decision making linked to outcomes for young children.

Why? Because in 1993:

- 20% of children under five lived in poverty.
- High infant mortality rate.
- 65% of mothers of children under six worked outside the home.
- Worst child care standards in the nation.

In 2003, Smart Start Provided:

-Subsidy to working parents of 57,164 children.
98,387 health and developmental screenings.
- Early care and education training in 6,437
facilities for 25,979 educators and administrators.

Highlights From Economic Impact Study:

- NC has over 8,000 child care facilities.
- Employs over 46,000 tax payers.
- Gross receipts in excess of $1.5 billion.

North Carolina Child Care Facilities Care for:

- 171,650 children 0-5 in NC enrolled in
licensed/regulated child care.

Our Mission is:

- That Every Child in North Carolina will arrive
at school healthy and prepared for success

Ten Years Later:

- Moved from worst immunization record to one of the top 3.
- Seen an increase in children enrolled in quality care – from 20% to 70%.
- Contributed to improvement in child care and teacher education.
- Today, over 82% have college education.

Research Proves Positive Effect on Children

- Children enrolled in facilities that received Smart Start assistance demonstrated higher skills in: Language, Math, Social skills.