March 2026 Newsletter

Thank you Grantors & Sponsors!

Smart Start of Davie County extends our sincere thanks to the following agencies, businesses, and individuals who have supported our programming through grants and sponsorships. We truly could not do this work without their generous support.

February Recap:

Smart Start of Davie County

13th Annual Hometown Hoedown 2026!

Our Hometown Hoedown was a boot-stompin', heart-warming success! From the buzz of the live and silent auctions to the sound of laughter echoing across the dance floor, it was a night full of easy bidding, spirited dancing, and unforgettable moments. One of the sweetest highlights? A brave little cowgirl who stole the show helping auction off a table like a pro! Thanks to our incredible grantors, sponsors and community, every paddle raised and every boot that danced will help support Smart Start of Davie County's mission to serve children ages birth to five. What a night to remember!

Click here to view pictures from Hometown Hoedown 2026!

North Carolina Childcare Task Force

Smart Start of Davie County was honored to attend the February meeting of the NC Task Force on Child Care and Early Education, held at Davidson-Davie Community College. The committee, led by bipartisan co-chairs Senator Jim Burgin and Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, Rachel Hunt, focused on innovative child care initiatives and strategies to strengthen early education across North Carolina.

Gena Taylor, Executive Director of Smart Start of Davie County, and Mary Draughn, Director of Smart Start of Davidson County, joined Amy Cubbage, President of the North Carolina Partnership for Children, along with many other early childhood leaders from across the state for thoughtful, solution-driven discussion.

We are grateful to have a seat at the table as conversations continue around strengthening child care access, supporting the early childhood workforce, and expanding high-quality early learning opportunities for families in Davie County and throughout North Carolina.

Upcoming Events

Grandparents & Me

Grandparents & Me Sign-up

Roll & Read

4.1.26 Roll & Read Sign-up

KidsFest 2026!

Smart Start of Davie County invites you to join us for a fun and FREE family event! Register below:

Click here to register for KIDSFEST (English) 2026!

Click here to register for KIDSFEST (Spanish) 2026!

Spring 2026

Teacher Trainings

We are excited to announce our trainings for March-April 2026! Please use the links or QR codes below to sign up for trainings!

3.10.26 Using Movement Activities to Teach Self-Regulation and Reduce Misbehavior Training (In-Person)

3.31.26 Lesson Planning and Assessment Training (Virtual)

4.23.26 ITS - SIDS Training (Virtua l )

Early Child Care Academy

Information

Message from Candance Witherspoon,

Division of Child Development and Early Education Director

Late last year DCDEE was excited to announce partnerships with 16 North Carolina colleges and universities to establish Child Care Academies, intensive early childhood career preparation programs designed to help address staffing shortages in our field. These partnerships are now well underway, and many Child Care Academies are accepting applicants for upcoming sessions. We invite you to share these opportunities with members of your community who are interested in establishing themselves as early childhood educators. Because this initiative is funded by the federal Preschool Development Grant, there is no cost to program participants.

With appreciation,

Candace Witherspoon

Director, Division of Child Development and Early Education

If you are interested in Early Child Care Academy, please click links below:

Davidson-Davie Community College

Start on April 6 or June 8

Details | Interest Form | Email

Forsyth Technical Community College

Start on February 16, March 30, or May 26

Family Support

Little kids can have BIG emotions, meltdowns, bedtime battles, and tough behaviors. Triple P gives parents simple, proven strategies to handle these challenges with confidence!

✅ One-on-one support

✅ Easy-to-use tip sheets

✅ Group parenting seminars

Call our office at 336-751-2113 to speak with one of our

Triple P Family Educators & schedule an appointment today.

Join us at the Davie County Library (DCPL) on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month starting at 10am!

Smart Start of Davie County partners with DCPL to offer age-appropriate activities for children ages birth - five.

Early Childhood Resource Center

Check out the kits we have here!

Literacy

The Little Free Library

Come by our office anytime and check out our Little Free Library. There are books from ages birth all the way through upper elementary school in the Little Free Library!

Feel free to drop off books or take books!

.........................................................................

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

If you have moved, please call our office at

336-751-2113 to update your child's account.

Family Support Resources

Free car seat resource:

Buckle Up Davie Referral Form

For updated information on vaccine schedules please click the links below:

Vaccine Poster in English and Spanish

Vaccine Schedule from Infant to age 6

Vaccine Schedule from Infant to age 6 in Spanish

Are you in need of childcare tuition assistance?

Please contact:

Tonya Hutchens

Income Maintenance Caseworker II

Department of Health and Human Services

154 Government Center Dr.

Mocksville, NC 27028

336.753.6180 Phone/ 336.751.0636 Fax

thutchens@daviecountync.gov

www.DavieCountyNC.gov

Click the link below to view:

Davie County Resource Guide

Check us out!

Platinum Transparency 2025

Smart Start of Davie County earned a 2025 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency! Our profile enables funders and donors to find us and learn more about our impact. You can see our information by clicking the link below. We’ll keep our profile up to date so you can see what your donations help us to accomplish.

2025 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency