Community Forward: Protecting Child Care Access for Forsyth County Families | |
Dear Smart Start Community,
Every day, I hear from parents who are working hard to provide for their families while trying to find safe, reliable and affordable child care. For many families in Forsyth County, our Child Care Scholarship Program is the support that makes employment, school, training, and family stability possible.
This program, funded through child care subsidies, is more than financial assistance. It is a lifeline. It helps parents go to work with peace of mind, and it helps children enter caring, high-quality early learning environments where they can grow, learn, and thrive.
That is why the current conversation about child care subsidy reimbursement rates is so important. State leaders are discussing proposed subsidy investments, including approximately $80 million in child care subsidy funding. Early childhood advocates are requesting $101 million in recurring funding to support an infant and toddler rate floor and updated 2023 market-rate increases for other age groups.
This matters because providers cannot serve families well if reimbursement rates do not reflect the real cost of care. Infant and toddler care is especially expensive, and without adequate rates, providers face difficult choices that can reduce access for families who need scholarships the most.
At Smart Start of Forsyth County, we believe parents should not have to choose between working and affording child care. We also believe child care providers deserve the resources needed to keep classrooms open, pay qualified staff, and offer the quality care our children deserve.
Our Child Care Scholarship Program strengthens families, supports our local workforce, and prepares young children for success. As this important funding conversation continues, Smart Start will keep advocating for Forsyth County parents, providers, and children.
Together, we can protect access to child care and ensure every child has the strong start they deserve.
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With Purpose and Gratitude,
Dr. Louis A. Finney Jr.
President/Chief Executive Officer
Smart Start of Forsyth County
| | | SMART START NEWS & UPDATES | | Family Childcare Homes and North Carolina's New QRIS Pathways: A Focus on Quality | |
Family Childcare Home educators have long been a cornerstone of early childhood care in Forsyth County, offering flexible, home-away-from-home environments where children learn and grow. In 2025, North Carolina updated its Quality Rating and Improvement System, known as QRIS, to better reflect the diverse ways family childcare educators demonstrate their commitment to quality.
The updated system offers three pathways, each designed to meet educators where they are in their professional journey. One pathway centers on program assessment, using research-based tools like the Environment Rating Scale to evaluate the quality of the childcare environment. Another focuses on curriculum and instructional support, pairing educators with a coach who provides guidance and professional development. The third recognizes providers who pursue national accreditation through organizations such as the National Association for Family Child Care, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, or the Head Start Five Star Licensed Pathway.
Together, these pathways acknowledge that family childcare educators bring a wide range of strengths and experiences to early education. The flexibility of the updated QRIS allows every educator to find a meaningful pathway toward high-quality care for the children and families they serve in Forsyth County.
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By Vanessa Sawyer-Wilson
Early Childhood Strategic Initiatives Manager
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A Year of Impact:
Serving Forsyth County Families
2025–2026 Program Year
| As we close out the 2025–2026 program year, we are proud to reflect on the families we've reached, the milestones we've hit, and the work that lies ahead. Here's a look at what we accomplished together. |
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700+
families served through NC Pre-K
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200+
families supported via Family Childcare Scholarships
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100%
Emergency Scholarship funding fully utilized
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NC Pre-K
This year, NC Pre-K served over 700 families in Forsyth County — connecting children with high-quality early learning experiences that set the foundation for school success. We are grateful for every family that trusted us with this important step.
Phase Two Applications Now Open
July 8, 2026 – July 31, 2026
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Family Childcare Scholarships
Our Family Childcare Scholarship program supported over 200 families this year, helping working parents and caregivers access quality childcare that fits their needs. We remain committed to expanding access and removing barriers for families across Forsyth County.
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Emergency Childcare Scholarships
We are proud to share that our Emergency Childcare Scholarship program fully expended its funding this year — a testament to the real need in our community and our team's commitment to responding quickly. Families facing unexpected crises were able to access childcare support when they needed it most.
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Need childcare scholarship assistance?
If you or someone you know is in need of childcare scholarship services, we encourage you to apply. Our team is here to help guide you through the process.
Click Here to Apply for Scholarship Services
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By Tabitha McAllister
Chief Program Officer
| | M.A.L.E. Initiative: Fatherhood Ambassadors Making an Impact | |
The Males Aspiring Long-Term Excellence Initiative, known as M.A.L.E., is introducing a new chapter in father engagement with the launch of its Fatherhood Ambassadors program. Positioned at two childcare sites across the community, Fatherhood Ambassadors build on the foundation of the former Fatherhood Representatives role with an expanded purpose and a deeper presence at each location.
Ambassadors show up consistently, build relationships with fathers, and create an environment where dads feel welcomed and valued. Their work is rooted in the belief that present, engaged fatherhood makes a lasting difference in a child's life, and that fathers deserve spaces that affirm and support that commitment.
Through this initiative, the M.A.L.E. program is strengthening the connection between fathers and their children's early learning experiences, one site, one relationship, and one family at a time.
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By Juwon Crowell
Director of Development and Community Engagement
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M.A.L.E. Initiative:
Family Engagement Leadership
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Fatherhood Advocates bring more than presence to the families they serve. Through consistent relationship-building, structured programming, and a steady commitment to showing up where families need support, they are making a meaningful difference in communities across Forsyth County.
Their reach extends well beyond fathers. Advocates actively engage mothers, grandparents, guardians, and extended family members, drawing the whole family into a deeper investment in children's early learning and long-term success. It is whole-family work, grounded in compassion and carried out with intention.
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By Juwon Crowell
Director of Development and Community Engagement
| | Sparking the Future: Forsyth County's Newest Apprentices Are Just Getting Started | |
This summer, a new chapter in early childhood education is being written right here in Forsyth County. Smart Start of Forsyth County is proud to announce the official launch of SPARK, Shaping Pathways for Advancing Resourceful Kinder-professionals, a U.S. Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship program that turns passion for young children into a debt-free career.
Our inaugural apprentices have already begun the Child Care Academy, earning a stipend while they build the skills needed to become qualified, caring educators for the children in our community. From day one, SPARK apprentices are on a path toward professional credentialing without the burden of student debt standing in the way.
The journey has begun, and the future of early childhood education in Forsyth County is brighter because of it.
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By Daniel B. Ferguson
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation
| | Tuesday Training Series for Early Educators | Every Tuesday | 6:00-7:30 PM | Smart Start of Forsyth County | June 23: Observations and Assessments (FREE)
June 30: How to Deal with Child Traumatic Stress (FREE) | |
Boost your teaching toolkit with our weekly professional development sessions designed specifically for early childhood educators.
Each workshop features:
- Practical classroom management strategies
- Hands-on STEM activities you can use tomorrow
- Essential safety certifications to keep your credentials current
- Networking with fellow local educators
| These expert-led sessions provide immediately applicable skills to enhance your classroom environment and support our community's youngest learners. | | |
Family Engagement & Leadership Training: Starting Strong
Smart Start of Forsyth County and Family Services have partnered to bring families in Forsyth County the Family Engagement and Leadership Training program. Through workshops, peer support, and family engagement activities, the program equips parents and caregivers with parenting tools, community resources, and connections to local partners that support their children's early learning and development. Participants also receive a $25 gift card for each session attended, and child care is provided.
For more information, contact Juwon Crowell at juwonc@smartstart-fc.org or 336.725.6011.
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The Pre-K Priority:
Championing Quality Pre-K for Every Child in Forsyth County
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Founded in 2014 by a group of early childhood professionals, The Pre-K Priority is a community-driven coalition working to make high-quality, affordable Pre-K available to every four-year-old in Forsyth County. Their mission is to educate, engage, and mobilize the public while securing commitment from civic leaders to build a comprehensive Pre-K system that works for all families.
The Pre-K Priority takes a grassroots approach, building a broad movement of parents, educators, business leaders, faith communities, and neighborhood champions who understand what is at stake when children enter kindergarten without a strong foundation. They provide research on the current state of Pre-K locally and nationally, advocate for quality standards, and work directly with community leaders to turn awareness into action.
Smart Start of Forsyth County is proud to be a partner and active participant in this important work. To learn more or get involved, visit prekpriority.org or contact Project Director Leslie Mullinix at lmullinix@familyservicesforsyth.org.
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By Cindia Gonzalez
Community Outreach Coordinator
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By Lesa King Bullins
Director of Research and Evaluation
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DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY
BOOK OF THE MONTH:
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The Rabbit Listened
by Cori Doerrfeld
When something goes wrong, it can be tempting to jump in with advice or quick fixes. In this tender and beautifully illustrated story, young Taylor experiences a heartbreaking setback and is visited by a parade of well-meaning animals, each offering their own solution. It is not until the rabbit arrives and simply sits quietly that Taylor begins to feel understood. Through warm, expressive illustrations and gentle text, this New York Times bestseller shows children and caregivers alike that sometimes the greatest gift we can offer is our presence.
Visit your local library or bookstore to share this story with your little one this month.
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By Cindia Gonzalez
Community Outreach Coordinator
| | Sometimes the Best Thing You Can Do Is Listen | |
When your toddler is upset, the instinct to fix the problem is natural. But young children often need to feel heard before they are ready to move on.
The next time your child is frustrated or sad, try sitting close, making eye contact, and simply saying, "I see that you are sad. I am right here." You do not have to have the right words.
Resisting the urge to redirect or solve too quickly gives your child space to process big feelings and builds the trust that you are a safe place to land.
Over time, that quiet consistency teaches emotional skills that last a lifetime.
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By Cindia Gonzalez
Community Outreach Coordinator
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