Governor Proclaims Child Care Provider Appreciation Day 2023

WHEREAS, North Carolina’s high-quality early care and learning network makes it possible for parents to work and employers to hire, all while giving young children a strong foundation to learn and thrive; and

WHEREAS, research shows that investment in high-quality early care and learning has a positive long-term effect on children’s education and well-being; and

WHEREAS, there are thousands of child care providers in North Carolina with a deep commitment to the healthy development of children who have a valuable role in strengthening the families and communities they serve; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina disbursed $300 million of federal emergency relief funds to help sustain the state’s child care businesses, helping families, teachers, and programs stay resilient during the COVID-19 crisis; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina dedicated $806 million in federal funding to Child Care Stabilization Grants to help North Carolina’s early care and learning programs with recruitment and retention, enabling them to provide better wages and benefits to teachers, increased access to high-quality, affordable child care to parents, and improved equity for all; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina recognizes the importance of early care and learning professionals to young children and their families and to the state’s employers that need to hire and retain a quality workforce; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 12, 2023, as “CHILD CARE PROVIDER APPRECIATION DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.