How We Help the New Hanover Community
Smart Start of NHC benefits the community by focusing on early childhood development and education, which lays the foundation for a successful future. By providing access to high-quality child care, early learning, and parental support, Smart Start helps children to thrive. This, in turn, leads to improved school readiness, reduced achievement gaps, and a more prepared and engaged workforce, ultimately benefiting the entire community’s long-term social and economic well-being.
Data & Sources
Outreach &
Organizational Support
With Us
Why is Smart Start’s Work Important?
Early Childhood Quick Facts
Economic Impact of Quality Early Learning
Data Sources
Smart Start Community Indicators
Kids Count Data Center
Census Quick Facts for NHC
NC Child Data Dashboard by County (NHC data card)
NC Early Childhood Education Data from Child Care Services Association
What Can Smart Start Offer to My Organization?
Community Outreach and Education
Smart Start of NHC provides accurate and relevant information about children birth to age five for community organizations, worksites, and public officials. This data can be used to strengthen the early childhood system, educate on relevant issues, and enhance employee benefits, recruitment and retention.
Worksite Health Programs and Employee Well-Being
Smart Start of NHC partners with local worksites to offer on-site work-life integration support, Parenting Series Seminars, Lunch and Learns, Child Care Referrals, and attend employee fairs.
How Do I Get Involved?
Advocate
How You Can Take Action by NC Child
Weekly Advocacy Update from NC Child
Research to Help Children Thrive from Child Trends
How to Take Action Now from StateofBabies.org
Early Care & Education Research Data from Child Care Services
Get Involved with Us
Donate to Smart Start of NHC
Attend or Sponsor our Breakfast for Children’s Champions
Attend or Sponsor our Family Festival
Volunteer
Come Work with Us
Smart Start of NHC Career Opportunities
Contracts & Proposals (RFPs)
Volunteer Opportunities
- Smart Start Family Festival – November
- Block Fest
- SSNHC Board member
- Kindergarten Info Packet Assembly – February
- Early Learning Resource Center – M-F, 8-5
- Farm 2 ECE
- Provider Appreciation Night – May
Early Childhood Quick Facts
- 12,788 children ages 0-5 live in NHC, and this number is increasing. (2024)
- 40% (5,102) of children under age 6 living in NHC are in families who have income below 200% federal poverty level. (2024)
- NHC has 77 licensed child care programs, 60 are centers and 17 are family child care homes, which is a decrease from 65 and 32 in Apr 2018, respectively. (Apr 2024)
- Average annual cost of full-time licensed child care in NHC ranges from $11,000-$13,000, depending on child’s age. (2024)
Economic Impact of Quality Early Learning
- The need for quality child care is critical to the economic viability of families and businesses. Approximately 64% (8,234) of children under six in NHC live in families where all parents are working. (childcareservices.org)
- Most families in New Hanover County cannot afford the full cost of child care. Low-income families and families with more than one child have to pay a high percentage of their income for care. Often, little is left in the family’s budget for food, medical, clothing, travel or other basic living expenses. Due to the high cost of child care, parents often make difficult choices. Some may be forced to seek TANF. Others may seek cheaper, often inadequate child care or leave their children unattended. (childcareservices.org)
- Licensed child care programs contribute to the local economy, employing more than 700 people directly in NHC. (childcareservices.org)