The NC Alliance of YMCAs is joining forces with child care advocates across the state to call on lawmakers to strengthen North Carolina’s child care subsidy system. We’re urging a $220 million recurring investment to raise provider reimbursement rates to 2023 market levels and establish a statewide market rate floor. This essential funding will help licensed providers—like the Y and many others—keep their doors open and protect access to care for working families.
Affordable, high-quality child care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Between January and August alone, North Carolina lost 191 child care programs. And the consequences ripple across our economy. According to the NC Chamber Foundation, 60% of working parents with young children have missed work, and more than a third have declined job opportunities or promotions due to child care challenges. The cost to our state? An estimated $1.36 billion in lost tax revenue and $4.48 billion in lost productivity for employers.
At the Y, we see the impact daily. For every child enrolled in afterschool care, three more are waiting for a spot. This shortfall hits rural areas, child care deserts, low-income neighborhoods, and migrant communities especially hard.
What’s more, the current child care subsidy structure places additional strain on families. While families earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) qualify for care for children under 5, that threshold drops to 133% for children aged 6–12. That means many working families lose access to support just as their children transition to school-age care—when they still need safe, engaging environments after school.
Consider this: A family of four earning the state’s median income of $86,947 pays roughly $22,457 annually for two children in care—about 26% of their income. That’s nearly four times the federal recommendation of 7%. This isn’t sustainable.
We believe every family deserves access to affordable, reliable child care. That’s why we’re advocating for a subsidy system that grows with families—not against them. By investing in child care, we’re investing in our workforce, our economy, and our communities.
Now is the time to act. Let’s work together to build a stronger North Carolina—one where every child can thrive, and every family has the support they need to succeed. Here's how you can help.