A powerful new 21-minute documentary, Take Care North Carolina, is bringing attention to the growing challenges in early childhood education across the state. The film highlights how the childcare crisis impacts children, teachers, families, and even the economy.
The Struggle for Quality Childcare
Early childhood education lays the foundation for a child’s cognitive development, especially from birth to five years of age. However, the documentary uncovers harsh truths about the sector’s struggles, including poor teacher pay, staff shortages, and a lack of state and federal investment.
Childcare centers, which play a crucial role in shaping young minds, face difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified educators.
“It’s an average of about $12 an hour,” said Rhonda Rivers, Director of Leaf Spring Schools. “People with higher degrees are leaving the profession for better-paying jobs.”
Cassandra Brooks, Director of Little Believer’s Academy, echoed this concern. “Without funding, it’s impossible to entice good teachers to take or stay in these jobs,” she said.
A Call for Strategic Investments
The documentary highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions. Candance Witherspoon, Acting Division Director of Child Development and Early Education, emphasized the importance of long-term investments to strengthen the childcare industry.
“We need to be more strategic about our investments to build a strong foundation for childcare businesses,” Witherspoon said.
Parents also shared their experiences. Some, like Catie Hollis, expressed the hope that increased funding will create more options for families. “We need centers to grow so there are more family choices,” she said.
Impact on Families and the Economy
Parents are often forced to make sacrifices, including long commutes, to access better-quality childcare. Brooks recounted her own struggles, saying, “I had to drive outside my area and sacrifice time and gas to ensure my child could attend a good school.”
The documentary underscores how the crisis ripples through the economy. With low pay driving educators away and centers struggling to stay afloat, the sector’s instability affects workforce participation and family well-being.
A Push for Change
The documentary, which premiered in Raleigh, aims to ignite conversations and inspire action. It calls on both the state and federal governments to step up and address these challenges through increased funding and support.
“Research proves that early childhood education is crucial for cognitive development,” said Rivers. “We must invest in our children’s futures.”
A Solution for a Better Future
The film ends with a clear message: the childcare crisis is solvable. It urges policymakers, educators, and families to come together and demand meaningful changes.
The documentary is now available online, offering everyone a chance to join the movement and support North Carolina’s children, families, and educators in building a brighter future.
This report brings to light the urgent need to address the childcare crisis and pave the way for a stronger foundation in early education.
Leave a Reply