About CandL

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The Goal of CandL
CandL’s Vision
The 5 Phases of CandL

The Care and Learning (CandL) Coalition was born out of a bold, shared vision: to transform North Carolina’s early childhood education system into one that works for all families, providers, and communities. In Phase One, CandL set out to listen first. The Engagement Team traveled across 34 counties in North Carolina, partnering with grassroots organizations to host listening sessions with parents, caregivers, and child care providers. These conversations lifted up real stories and surfaced deep needs, painting a clear picture of what families and educators want from a system that too often leaves them behind.

In Phase Two, CandL took what it heard and used it to shape a revised vision—one that centers equity, family voice, and the professionalization of early educators. That updated vision was handed to a team of policy experts in Phase Three. These experts compared the community’s hopes with the realities of current state policies, identifying which policies needed to be changed, added, or removed. Their work included laying out both short-term (3–5 year) and long-term (10+ year) policy goals that could move North Carolina closer to a just, affordable, and sustainable early care and education system.

Now, in Phase Four, CandL is focused on prioritizing action. With the support of consultants and partners, the Engagement Team is working to identify 2–3 top priorities from the policy recommendations that resonate most with communities. These priorities will guide advocacy efforts in Phase Five—the final stage—where CandL will reconnect with families, providers, and organizations to launch a grassroots campaign rooted in community power. Every phase of CandL’s journey has been guided by a simple principle: those closest to the problem must be at the center of the solution.

The Goal of CandL

At CandL, we believe that every child—regardless of their background—deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that best meets their unique needs.

Our goal is to move toward a more publicly funded early care and education system, so that families can choose the care setting that works best for them—whether that’s a licensed child care center, a child care home, or trusted family, friend, and neighbor care—without being held back by cost.

Too many families are forced to make impossible choices. As one parent from Wilson County shared during our listening sessions:

“If I took them to childcare, it would cost a lot. I would have to work just to pay for the childcare. So I do not work and care for them myself.” – Parent, Wilson County

This is not just one story—it’s a reality for thousands of families across our state. CandL is committed to changing that reality by advocating for a child care system that is equitable, accessible, and sustainable for all.

CandL’s Vision

We are a cross-sector, multidisciplinary, and inclusive coalition of families, communities, grassroots organizations, early childhood organizations, funders, businesses, and early care and education providers. We are committed to working alongside families and communities to build on their strengths and honor their values as we reimagine and rebuild early care and education in North Carolina—for all children, regardless of ZIP code.

We will:

This work will be equitable and inclusive, centered around family voice and lived experience, and will ensure equitable access and opportunity for every North Carolina family—so that all children can thrive and succeed in life.

The Five Phases of CandL

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The Care and Learning (CandL) Coalition is fiscally sponsored by the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity. If you are interested in financially supporting the Coalition’s work, please contact ncecf@buildthefoundation.org