Burke County Smart Start

Child care and education affordability included the step program and the quality bonus for non-subsidized children program. The step program was a part time program conducted by Burke County public schools. Classrooms serving 207 children at 3 sites in Burke County. By june 30, 2024 100% of the children participating in the step program at least 6 months demonstrated developmental growth as measured by the creative curriculum. The quality bonus for non-subsidized children program was conducted by an accredited resource and referral agency. Quality bonuses were paid monthly to 26 child care programs serving 406 non-subsidized children. By june 30, 2024, 90% of the child care facilities receiving quality bonuses maintained or increased their quality as measured by the star licensure rating.

Child care and education quality - child care resource and referral services, health care benefits for child care providers and dual subsidy tanf payments to enhance the quality of child care facilities. Benefits packages provided to 90 child care providers in 9 child care facilities and 2 child care home centers with 69% in 4 or 5 star facilities providing health insurance by june 30, 2024. The child care resource and referral activity provided resources to child care centers. These resources included technical assistance and trainings to child care staff that affected the teaching and classroom quality. 86 trainings conducted to 385 child care staff from 72 child care providers. 100 % (24 of 24) of participating child care centers maintained their star rating. Dual subsidy tanf payments paid on a direct per child basis for subsidy for 147 families eligible for temporary assistance for needy families (tanf) or child care development fund (ccdf) funds. The average star rating for subsidized children was 4.71 stars and 93% of subsidized children were in 4 or 5 star care centers.

Nc pre k - development and implementation of nc pre k prekindergarten program for at-risk four-year-olds who are at risk of failure in kindergarten. The goal is to provide quality prekindergarten services in order to enhance kindergarten readiness. 397 children served in 29 classrooms at 19 sites located in Burke County.

Family support - family literacy programs including motheread/fatheread that combined the teaching of literacy skills with child development and family empowerment issues serving 45 parents. By june 30, 2024, 100% (18 of 18) of participating parents indicated they read more to their children.