Q.  What is Smart Start?

A.   Smart Start is a statewide program designed to help all of North Carolina's children enter school healthy and ready to learn. 

Q.   Why is Smart Start so important?

A.   Scientific research of early brain development indicates that a child's first five years of life are critical to his future ability to learn. His experiences now will make a difference for a lifetime.

Q.   Who benefits from the Smart Start program?

A.   Smart Start is specifically targeted toward children ages 0-5, but potentially everyone in the community can benefit. Families benefit from subsidized child care, literacy programs, higher quality child care, and parent education programs. Child Care providers benefit from increased training, facility enhancement, and pay incentives. Employers benefit from employees increased time and productivity on the job due to increased quality and reliability of child care. Smart Start benefits entire communities!

Q.   How is Smart Start different from programs with similar names?

A.   Smart Start is unique in that each community is deciding how Smart Start funding can best meet its needs. We work in collaboration with several local agencies to serve all children aged 0-5 in the community through child care, health care and family support services. We do not target any particular population or income group.

Q.   How is Smart Start funded?

A.   Although each local Partnership receives a funding allocation from the state, we also rely on private contributions to help meet the needs of our community. The Partnership for Children of Wayne County, Inc. is a private non-profit corporation, 501(c)3, and all contributions are tax deductible.

Q.   How can I help Smart Start to be a success in my community?

A.   Get Involved! Contact the Partnership for Children of Wayne County, Inc. to see how you can help. Advocating for children, volunteering your time and resources, and financial contributions are all significant ways you can make a difference. 

Remember - the future of our children depends on what we do now!