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Advocate

“It is on us to support our children and early childhood educators as we work toward having a healthier and better educated state where people have the opportunity to live a more abundant and purposeful life.”

– Gov. Roy Cooper

A group of six adults sit at tables in a classroom, engaged in a discussion. Colorful rugs, bookshelves, and hanging paper lanterns decorate the room.

Help us be a megaphone for the early childhood care and labor crisis!

 

The Issue: Affordable Child Care & Labor Crisis

As we began to move out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we found ourselves facing a serious child care crisis. The cost of child care is unbearably high in our county and country, rising far above what most can afford. On top of that, there is an early childhood labor shortage as early educators leave the field because of low wages and difficult working conditions.

Did you know?
  • The average price of center-based infant child care in North Carolina is more than the average annual tuition and fees at a public 4-year college or university.
  • On average, early educators make between $10-12 an hour – far below the county’s living wage of $18.95 an hour for a single adult with no children.
  • Watch here to better understand why child care costs so much, yet educators make so little.
A woman in a red sweater reads a picture book to a group of young children sitting on the classroom carpet. Several children raise their hands eagerly to answer questions. Behind her is a “Letter Wall” with the alphabet displayed, along with classroom storage and decorations.
  • The average price of center-based infant child care in North Carolina is more than the average annual tuition and fees at a public 4-year college or university.
  • On average, early educators make between $10-12 an hour – far below the county’s living wage of $18.95 an hour for a single adult with no children.
  • Watch here to better understand why child care costs so much, yet educators make so little.

How is WCSS helping to combat these issues?

Providing affordable public Pre-K to families in Wake

Raising awareness about the crisis through media interviews and newsletters like this interview with Joel Brown on ABC11 and Holding conversations about it with policy makers and early education leaders

Increasing teacher pay at private sites to match WCPSS

Convening and collaborating with Wake Tech, Wake County Public School System, and the North Carolina Business Committee for Education to establish an early childhood apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship in an effort to rebuild the early educator pipeline in Wake County.

How can YOU get involved?

Use this form to share your story. Many of you are parents who need affordable child care or educators who deserve to make a living wage. Together, we can be the megaphone for this cirtical issue.

 

Learn more here
A man in a suit and a woman in a yellow jacket watch a young boy play at a sensory water and sand table in a classroom. The boy wears a colorful striped apron while scooping water with a toy. Other children and adults are visible in the background engaging in activities.

Use this form to share your story. Many of you are parents who need affordable child care or educators who deserve to make a living wage. Together, we can be the megaphone for this cirtical issue.

 

Learn more here

Tawanna Terry, NC Pre-K Teacher

As an NC Pre-K teacher at a private site, this increase in pay for me means I can support my family. I don’t have to decide which bill I need to pay this month. I don’t have to be consistently behind on my electric bill. I don’t have to borrow money from family and friends or take out a loan, putting me deeper in debt. I can save and be in a better position to help my son attend college.

Five young children of diverse backgrounds sitting together on the floor in a classroom, smiling and with arms around each other, with toys scattered in front of them

JFK

“If not us, who? If not now, when?”

THE ISSUE: LEANDRO

The Leandro Plan was ordered by the court as a resolution for Leandro v. State to ensure every child has access to a sound basic education by 2028.

  • The plan:

    Eliminates the inequity and funding deficiencies that prevent students from getting the services and opportunities they’re owed.

    Is based on extensive research by the country’s leading nonpartisan education experts.

    Represents the bare minimum for upholding the education rights of North Carolina children.

  • Help us advocate for a sound, basic education for ALL children in NC. What YOU can do:

    Vote: Election results affect education

    Contact your elected officials

    Petition: End corporate tax cuts

    Host a Leandro short-documentary screening

  • Leandro Plan Resources

    Every Child NC

    NC Justice Center

    “Leandro: The Case for a Sound Basic Education”
    The below documentary, produced by North Carolina’s WRAL, dives into the facts of the Leandro case and its impact on students in North Carolina.

    Watch Now

Two women speak at podiums under a canopy during an outdoor event. Both podiums display a sign that reads “Every Child NC – Communities for the Education of Every Child NC.” The woman on the left wears glasses and a sleeveless floral top, while the woman on the right wears glasses and a dark patterned dress. People with umbrellas and clergy stoles stand behind them, indicating the event is taking place in the rain.

Gayle Headen, WCSS Executive Director, and NC Pre-K parent, Kirsten Bankhead, advocate for lawmakers to fully fund Leandro, which would provide a sound, basic education for all children in North Carolina.

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