New Child Care Grant Applications Now Open!
Early Care & Learning Expansion & Access Grants can be used for startup costs and projects to expand capacity.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education invites current and potential North Carolina child care providers to apply for new, one-time, competitive Early Care & Learning Expansion and Access Grants.
The Current Operations Appropriations Act of 2021 (PDF) appropriated $20 million in nonrecurring funds to provide grants for child care facilities including NC Pre-K classrooms, child care centers and family child care homes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in child care deserts and low-performing and high-poverty districts.
These Early Care & Learning Expansion and Access Grants shall be one-time awards (up to $125, 000) to assist with new or expanded high-quality child care initiatives as follows:
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start-up costs* associated with establishing a new licensed or regulated child care facility;
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quality improvements for existing licensed or regulated child care facilities that increase the classroom or facility's capacity or upgrade its star rating; or
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capital improvements or renovations to existing licensed or regulated child care facilities, including adding or upgrading outdoor play and learning environments, or increasing a facility's total capacity.
*Unlicensed applicants will have to be licensed or regulated (including passing a criminal background check) by the Division, open, and ready to accept children for care on or before December 31, 2024.
Got questions?
Early Care & Learning Expansion and Access Grants Informational Webinar: Thur April 13 from 10-11:30 a.m. Click to Join Webinar >>
How to Apply
Applicants will need a business NCID (Creating Your NCID) to access and complete the online application and submit both a project plan and a budget.
Applications will be accepted in two rounds. Application Round 1 will open April 11, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. and close May 1, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. The first round will be limited to licensed child care facilities in or planned for the following North Carolina counties, which have been chosen based on a ranking system that prioritizes child care deserts, low performing school districts, high poverty school districts, and scarcity of NC Pre-K programs:
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Anson
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Halifax
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Pasquotank
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Bertie
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Hertford
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Randolph
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Bladen
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Hoke
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Robeson
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Caldwell
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Iredell
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Rowan
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Caswell
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Jones
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Scotland
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Columbus
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Lenoir
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Swain
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Davidson
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Martin
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Tyrrell
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Duplin
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Mitchell
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Vance
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Edgecombe
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Nash
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Warren
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Graham
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New Hanover
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Washington
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Greene
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Northampton
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Wayne
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Application Round 2 will open May 22, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. and close June 12, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. The second round will be open to licensed child care facilities in or planned for all North Carolina counties.
Resources
Child Care Expansion and Access Grants Application – Job Aid
Child Care Expansion and Access Grants Terms and Conditions
Expansion and Access Grant April 13 Webinar