Governor Stein Proclaims Child Care Provider Appreciation Day

CHILD CARE PROVIDER APPRECIATION DAY

2026

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

A PROCLAMATION

Whereas, better school and life outcomes for children depend on the children having quality early childhood teachers – child care providers – who have the skills to ensure that children, supported by their families, have the early experiences they need for healthy development and a strong foundation for learning; and 

Whereas, knowing brain development that happens in the first five years of life sets the stage for future health and learning, skilled teachers create quality early care and learning programs that build strong skills in children; and 

Whereas, North Carolina relies on quality early childhood teachers, a vital force in our economy that allows parents to work and keeps businesses running; and 

Whereas, early childhood teachers cannot afford to stay in their profession where the average wage does not meet basic needs for housing, food, health care, and other necessities; and 

Whereas, a 2023 NC Chamber Foundation poll found that 89 percent of North Carolina voters recognize that low wages for child care teachers and workers is a serious problem in the state, making child care an important nonpartisan issue; and 

Whereas, the same poll found that most voters across political affiliation support increasing state funding to improve child care quality and make it more affordable; and 

Whereas, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recognizes the important role of early care and learning teachers in the lives of young children and their families and affirms the state’s role in enforcing safety and quality standards and ensuring access to child care across our state; and 

Whereas, May 29^th is Family Child Care Educators Appreciation Day, throughout North Carolina they provide essential early care and education in licensed home-based settings that nurture the healthy development, safety, and well-being of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, thereby strengthening families and communities across the state

Whereas, while North Carolina recognized the importance of early care and learning decades ago and built a high-quality child care network that serves parents and the state’s economy, it is time to make meaningful investment in supporting early care and learning teachers;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 8, 2026, as “Child Care Provider Appreciation Day” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-seventh day of April in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.