Early Childhood archives

The vast majority of brain development occurs in the first three years of life. Decades of research point to the early childhood period as an important foundation for all future learning and living.

EdNC is here to cover and make sense of the issues and policies shaping early care and learning across the state and beyond. Find news, research, and perspectives below, and go here to sign up for Early Bird to receive our latest coverage and analysis in your inbox every other Sunday.

Early Childhood

Featured Articles

The EdNC coverage you need to understand early care and learning, all in one place

Who’s who in North Carolina’s early care and learning landscape?

What to watch in child care during the 2025 legislative session

Education issues on the table for the 2025 long session

The EdNC coverage you need to understand early care and learning, all in one place

U.S. Department of Education bans educational institutions from considering race

Tri-Share, a state pilot to reduce child care costs, opens to businesses statewide

Your early childhood guide to the legislative session

What to watch in child care during the 2025 legislative session

‘We have to have action’ to halt, reverse net loss of licensed child care programs

Child care quality ratings are changing. Here’s how to provide feedback.

Perspective | Educate N.C.’s new legislators on early childhood priorities

Perspective | Funding for literacy coaching support is making a difference in districts like Dare County Schools

Early ed, higher ed, funding, AI, WNC, and more: Hunt Institute convenes legislators to talk about education

What we can learn from red states’ child care policies