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Why support Craven Smart Start?

Early Childhood Education
Young children often come to Kindergarten unprepared to learn. Craven Smart Start initiates and funds programs in Craven County that address kindergarten readiness. Craven Smart Start also collaborates with other community organizations to support young children and their families.

We believe when young children are given the opportunity to reach their full potential, that they will become loving, nurturing independent individuals who will contribute to their families, communities, and society. We believe that all children, when surrounded by a supportive community, can achieve economic success and experience the highest quality of life.

Economic Impact
With funding from The Harold H. Bate Foundation, Craven Smart Start commissioned East Carolina University to create a report to show the numerous economic benefits that the child care industry brings to our local economy. Child care is an important industry in Craven County, North Carolina, with wide-ranging effects on those who work in that sector and utilize its services. However, it also has a broader impact on economic activity throughout Craven County. This study uses Economic Impact Analysis (EIA) and IMPLAN (an economic modeling software package that is widely used for estimating the economic effects of a given industry), as well as a survey of parents and guardians who use child care services in Craven County, to estimate the breadth of impact of the child care industry on the county. To view this report, please click HERE.

Advocating for Parents and Supporting Childcare Professionals
Craven Smart Start supports childcare professionals by providing continuing education to ensure quality care for all children, and by supporting the WAGE$ program in Craven County which provides needed supplements for childcare professionals so that they may move closer to earning a living wage. To understand more, please watch the video below.