CHARLOTTE, N.C. — We are just days away before crucial funding for child care runs out. COVID-era funding for child care facilities is set to expire at the end of this month.
Thursday night, North Carolina lawmakers approved $67.5 million in emergency funding to cover child care costs through the first half of the fiscal year – but some say it's not nearly enough to cover costs and the industry is still hanging off the cliff.
Some educators are putting it all on the line while calling for lawmakers to increase investment in child care.
Child care advocates say they are fighting for children, families and centers across North Carolina. They told WCNC Charlotte's Jesse Pierre if they do not get the funding they need, there will be more empty classrooms with the lights turned off.
Pathway Preschool Center Director, Emma Biggs is one of those advocates.
“It’s also like a badge of honor,” Biggs said, proudly holding her mugshot with the words "Booked in Wake County," on it.
She is fighting for what she believes in. Biggs is one of several demonstrators arrested Wednesday at the state capitol calling for lawmakers to stabilize the child care industry.
“Our goal was to get inside while the Senate was still in session,” Biggs said.
For Biggs this battle is personal.
“I have been in this industry for 27 years and I cannot sit back and let the government tell us that our children are not important,” Biggs said. “Our children are vitally important, our educators are vitally important and without child care, our economy will collapse.”
Back in the halls of a school that she is fighting to keep affordable for families, Biggs said they are out of time: hundreds of millions of dollars made available during the pandemic are coming to an end in a few days.
“Teachers can’t afford to make less and parents can’t afford to pay more,” she said.
The General Assembly did approve nearly $68 million in emergency child care funding to help businesses get through the end of the year.
“It’s not enough,” Paris Sexton, an instructional assistant, said. “These kids' education is a priority because they are the future of tomorrow. If they don’t get what they need, who is going to get it.”
“Tuitions will still have to go up for a lot of programs, such as mine because it won’t cover everything ... but at least we know it gives us a little breathing room,” Biggs said.
Governor Roy Cooper is calling for $745 million to strengthen access to child care, early education and other programs.
That is money Biggs said would go a long way in this war for more funding.
But until that happens, “We are going to keep showing up and when they come back to session we will be there,” Biggs said.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.