NEW 2026 BBF Funding is Here
New BBF funding is now available for 2026!
This year's focus will be on recruiting invididuals into apprenticeship who are 18 and older and new to the field of early childhood. Support includes a wage match for employers and an incentive for the apprentice.
BBF will be hosting informational and recruitment sessions soon, so look out for more information!
NC Task Force on Child Care and Early Education
2025 Year-End Report
The North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education has released their 2025 year-end report. Led by bipartisan co-chairs Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt and Senator Jim Burgin (NC-12), the Task Force has developed six recommendations to make child care accessible and affordable across North Carolina and has identified opportunities to implement the recommendations.
NC Career Launch
Support for High School Pre-Apprentices
Do you have high school pre-apprentices at your center, or are interested in including them? NCBCE's NC Career Launch (NCCL) program can support those efforts! In partnership with Building Bright Futures, NCCL helps employers connect employers to their local high schools and community colleges, set up pre-apprenticeship-to-apprenticeship pathways, and provides financial support for pre-apprentices, mentors, and employers. High school pre-apprenticeship is a valuable training and recruiting tool that provides both the student and employer opportunities for growth in the field. Check it out today!
Participant and Partner Spotlights
Our BBF participants and partners have shared with us their experiences, career journeys, and insight on early childhood education and apprenticeship. Check out this new section that brings all of their valuable knowledge together!
North Carolina’s children, families, and businesses need more early childhood education and care options, and Building Bright Futures is an innovative solution to increase access. By supporting and encouraging students to enter the early childhood profession, we’ll help make sure more families and employers have the quality child care they need to thrive.