Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children Brochure

WHY QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION MATTERS

OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT OCCURS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN

WHAT IS SMART START? Smart Start is the state of North Carolina’s nationally-recognized and award-winning early childhood initiative designed to ensure that young children enter school healthy and ready to succeed.

Smart Start is a public-private initiative that provides early education funding to all of North Carolina’s 100 counties.

The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. [NCPC] is the statewide nonprofit organization that provides oversight and technical assistance to local partnerships. Currently, there are 76 local nonprofit partnerships, like the Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children, that administer Smart Start funds at the local level. For more information about Smart Start visit ncsmartstart.org.

our vision

A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EVERY CHILD IN OUR COMMUNITY

Early childhood development directly influences economic, health, and social outcomes for individuals and society. Children who receive quality early childhood education experiences are:

50% less likely to need special

70% less likely to be arrested for a violent crime

50% less likely to become a teen parent

LOCATIONS AND HOURS 111 Eastbrook Drive Greenville, NC 27858 Phone: 252.758.8885 Fax: 252.758.2627 Monday & Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday & Thursday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

415 East Boulevard Williamston, NC 27892 Phone: 252.789.4911 Fax: 252.792.0005 Monday through Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Investing in early childhood education is a cost-effective strategy for promoting economic growth and workforce development. The earlier the investment in our children, the greater the return.

www.mppfc.org

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SERVING MARTIN & PITT COUNTIES SINCE 1998

OUR PROGRAMS LENDING LIBRARY & RESOURCE ROOM Parents and caregivers of children birth through five can receive a membership to our Lending Library at no cost.

Members are able to borrow books, toys, games, puzzles, puppets, and more for up to three weeks at a time. Our Resource Room helps child care providers create the best classroom learning environment possible by providing access to bulletin board paper, die cuts, lamination, and more.

Laptops are also available for use.

WHO WE ARE The Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children, a non-profit in Eastern North Carolina, funds programs in quality early child care and learning, assistance finding child care services, parent and family support, health care, child care provider training, and early literacy during the first 2,000 days of a child’s life — roughly the time between birth and the first day of kindergarten.

Our mission is to make meaningful and measurable investments in young children to enable them to achieve their fullest potential. By bringing together all the people involved in a child’s early years — parents and caregivers, teachers, doctors, child care professionals, community leaders, and so many more — we ensure that every child has everything they need to succeed.

THE FIRST 2,000 DAYS Brains are built, not born. There are only 2,000 days between the time a baby is born and when they enter kindergarten. The first 5 years of a child’s life build the foundation on which they will learn and grow in the future. To build the best foundations, children need good health, strong families, and high quality early learning experiences. By ensuring children build a strong foundation, we can make sure they are reading on grade level by third grade, graduate from high school, and grow into productive citizens and valued employees.

THE EARLY LEARNERS OF TODAY ARE THE EMPLOYEES OF TOMORROW

CHILD CARE REFERRALS Finding quality child care can be hard. Our office maintains a list of all licensed child care facilities in Martin, Pitt, Lenoir, Greene, Carteret, and Jones Counties, and can provide a free and confidential list of the facilities that meet your needs based on star rating, hours of operation, transportation availability, and more.

PARENTS AS TEACHERS This evidence-based program offers parenting support, positive interactions, and child development information through play groups, one-on-one home visits, and group activities aimed at meeting developmental milestones.

DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY Reading is an essential skill for success. Each month from birth until their fifth birthday, registered children will receive an age-appropriate book in the mail to read with their family.

Participation in the program is free and open to every child in the community under age 5.

NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP [NFP] Each year, 380,000 children are born to first-time mothers living in poverty. Beginning during pregnancy, and until the child is two, Nurse-Family Partnership pairs nurses with first-time moms through home-visits to educate them on parenting, share information on community resources, and perform health checks. For more information, contact the Pitt County Health Department at 252.902.2357.

CHILD CARE SUBSIDY Administered by the Department of Social Services, the Child Care Subsidy assists eligible families with child care expenses. For more information, contact Pitt County DSS at 252.902.1164, or Martin County DSS at 252.809.6403.

REACH OUT AND READ Reach Out and Read makes literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric primary care, building upon the relationship between parents and health care providers. At regular pediatric check-ups, parents receive books appropriate for children from birth to five years old, helping children build a love of reading and a library of their own.

QUEST [Quality, Education, Support, & Training] Our specialists work with licensed local child care facilities to promote quality care experiences through one-on-one consultations, quality improvement plans, and professional development trainings. Specialists can also assist educators with understanding and implementing the licensing requirements for opening up a child care center or family child care home.

RAISING A READER Promoting a love of reading is as important in child care facilities as it is in the home. Raising A Reader partners with eligible child care providers to encourage early literacy skills by providing a book sharing program that not only encourages families to read together, but also provides training to parents and encourages them to visit their local library.

CHILD CARE HEALTH CONSULTANTS [CCHC] Local CCHCs work together with child care providers to promote healthy and safe environments for young children through technical assistance, on-site trainings, and professional development opportunities. For more information, contact the Pitt County Health Department at 252.902.2357.

CHILD CARE WAGE$ Administered by the Child Care Services Administration, WAGE$ provides education-based salary supplements to eligible low-paid teachers, directors, and family child care providers who work with children birth to five.

WITHOUT A HIGH-QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION, CHILDREN ARE 25% MORE LIKELY TO DROP OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL