In Forsyth County, childcare is not just a family concern—it is a critical driver of economic stability, workforce participation, and community growth. When childcare systems are underfunded, the consequences extend far beyond early learning classrooms and directly affect employers, taxpayers, and local prosperity.

The Local Reality

Forsyth County currently has approximately 159 licensed childcare programs, employing more than 1,000 early childhood professionals and serving nearly 6,400 children. Yet demand far exceeds supply. More than 17,600 children under age six live in households where parents are working, while only a fraction can access regulated, affordable care.

While many children are enrolled in high-quality, star-rated programs, capacity gaps persist—particularly for infants, toddlers, rural communities, and families working non-traditional hours. These shortages force parents to reduce work hours, delay employment, or exit the workforce altogether.

Impact on the Workforce and Economy

Childcare access directly affects Forsyth County’s labor force. When families lack reliable care, businesses experience increased absenteeism, higher turnover, and reduced productivity. This places a measurable strain on employers and slows local economic growth.

At the same time, childcare providers face unsustainable conditions. Early childhood educators in Forsyth County earn approximately $12–$13 per hour, well below a living wage. Low compensation drives turnover, destabilizes programs, and limits expansion—further constraining access for working families.

Cost Burden on Families

For many families, childcare costs consume a significant share of household income—often rivaling or exceeding the cost of in-state college tuition. Although state subsidies

support over 2,200 Forsyth County children, hundreds more remain on waiting lists, and many working families earn too much to qualify but too little to afford care independently.

Without strategic investment, these affordability gaps will continue to undermine workforce participation and economic mobility.

Why Investment Matters

Research consistently shows that investments in childcare generate strong economic returns—supporting parents’ ability to work, strengthening businesses, and improving long-term educational outcomes for children. Childcare functions as essential infrastructure, just like transportation or utilities. When it is weak, the entire system suffers.

A Call to Invest in Forsyth County’s Future

Smart Start of Forsyth County urges policymakers, funders, employers, and community leaders to prioritize childcare through:

• Increased local investment to expand subsidy access and reduce waiting lists
• Sustainable funding for providers to stabilize programs and improve educator compensation
• Public-private partnerships that engage employers in workforce-focused childcare solutions
• Data-driven decision-making to ensure accountability and equitable impact

Investing in childcare is not simply an investment in children—it is an investment in Forsyth County’s workforce, economic resilience, and long-term prosperity. The future of our community depends on it.

In Unity,



Dr. Louis A. Finney Jr.

Chief Executive Officer

Smart Start of Forsyth County

Community Assessment Reveals Strong Foundation, Strategic Opportunities for Growth

Smart Start of Forsyth County recently completed a comprehensive community assessment examining early childhood services for children ages 0-8. The findings highlight significant community strengths while identifying clear pathways for system transformation.

Building on Strong Assets:

Forsyth County possesses exceptional foundations for early childhood success: 30 years of organizational stability, established collaborative networks, quality programming where available, above-average healthcare provider ratios, and demographic stability that enables strategic long-term planning. These assets position the community to become a regional model for comprehensive early childhood system development.

Strategic Growth Opportunities:

• Economic Model Innovation: Opportunity to solve the affordability-sustainability challenge where families need childcare at $936 monthly while providers require living wages (currently $11-12.45/hour)—estimated investment of $20-31 million
• Expanding Quality Access: Building on quality standards to serve more than the current 32.5% of children with working parents who can access care

• Strengthening Educational Outcomes: Leveraging collaborative infrastructure to move third-grade reading proficiency from 29% toward state performance levels
• Enhancing Community Resilience: Addressing the 50% increase in emergency department trauma visits through integrated family support
• Maximizing Cultural Assets: Expanding on existing diversity (31% Hispanic children) to create more culturally responsive services beyond the current 102 non-English childcare referrals
• Deepening Service Integration: Transforming strong coordination networks into fully integrated service delivery systems
• Closing Geographic Gaps: Extending quality programming reach to underserved rural communities

A Community Ready for Transformation:



The assessment identifies five strategic priorities for simultaneous action through a three-phase implementation strategy. With demographic stability, committed partnerships, and proven collaborative capacity, Forsyth County has the ingredients needed for sustainable system transformation that ensures every child and family can thrive.

By Lesa King Bullins

Director of Research & Evaluation

Part-Time Childcare Scholarships

Now Available!

Smart Start of Forsyth County is excited to announce that our Dual Subsidy Childcare Scholarship program now offers scholarships/vouchers for part-time care!

Eligible Families: Children must be enrolled in one of the following programs:

• NC Pre-K
• Head Start
• Special Children's School

This expanded scholarship opportunity helps families access quality childcare during the hours their child is not in their primary educational program, supporting working families and ensuring consistent, comprehensive care for children.

For More Information: Contact Alisha Holt at childcarescholarship@smartstart-fc.org

We're committed to removing barriers and making quality early childhood education accessible for all Forsyth County families!



NC Pre-K 2026-2027 Applications will launch Monday, February 9, 2026!

UPCOMING EVENTS

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

trainings and neighborhood revitalization activities. 

A cornerstone of Habitat Forsyth’s success is its commitment to collaboration. Faith groups, corporations, foundations, municipalities, volunteers, and donors all play vital roles in advancing the mission. Together, they build more than houses — they build resilient communities block by block. 

This year, the organization celebrates 40 years of service, marked by its 'Raise the Roof: 40 Years' event. 1 House. Countless Futures initiative. The community-build project commemorates four decades of impact and invites supporters to help construct a symbolic anniversary home for a local family, reinforcing Habitat Forsyth’s legacy of hope and inclusion. 

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County welcomes everyone who believes that everyone deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to live. Volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds are essential to fulfilling this mission. 

For more information on how to support or partner with Habitat Forsyth, visit habitatforsyth.org.

By Marvin Fulwood

Director of Corporate Operations

By Cindia Gonzalez

Community Outreach Coordinator

SMART PARENT SHORTCUTS

Understanding January Behavior Changes

(It's Not Just You)

By Cindia Gonzalez

Community Outreach Coordinator