Approximately 5,000 of the children under age six in New Hanover County will participate in a child care program. Working families rely on child care and should expect to find high quality child care for their children.

Research shows that high quality child care environments are positively related to children’s later language, math, and behavior skills.

Based on this reality, Smart Start of New Hanover County’s Early Childhood Connections Program was designed to assist child care facilities in New Hanover County to improve and maintain their quality of care for young children through professional development, grants, incentives, and technical assistance. Technical assistance to any licensed child care facility is available upon request, in addition to these services. For more information call Early Childhood Connections with Smart Start of New Hanover County.

Please make sure you also check out the Child Care Providers Training Calendar and ECC Community Services available to all child care providers upon request.

Quality Enhancement

• Available for 1, 2, and 3 star child care centers and family child care homes starting in July of each year
• Year-long technical assistance and training program
• Participants will receive age appropriate learning materials for child care environment
• Must apply for at least one higher star level by June of the program year

Quality Maintenance

• Incentive program for 4 and 5 star child care centers and family child care homes starting in July of each year
• Designed to offer support in maintaining high quality standards and support in the re-licensing process
• Incentives will be given twice a year to selected sites based on high quality standards

Professional Planning Services

• Available to all child care providers working in licensed facilities
• Offers consultation and enrollment assistance to increase education levels of the child care workforce
• Assistance with professional development plans, portfolios, and accessing financial support
• Education incentives will be offered, based on availability, to encourage child care providers to complete college level coursework