Early Childhood Education & Development Committee | March 10, 2026

Early Childhood Education & Development Committee Charts Course for Future Investments

On March 10, 2026, the Early Childhood Education & Development Committee convened to discuss the future direction of its funding initiatives and strategic planning for early childhood development in Buncombe County. The meeting, attended by committee members and representatives from various organizations, centered on how to best support children’s development while addressing current challenges within the early childhood landscape. This recap summarizes key discussions, decisions, and upcoming actions for residents interested in learning more about these efforts.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to envisioning a "future state" for early childhood education in Buncombe County. Committee members engaged in robust discussions about what it truly means for a child to “thrive,” considering factors beyond just early learning, including access to nutritious food, safe environments, and nurturing care. A key debate revolved around the distinction between providing “equal opportunity” versus achieving “equitable outcomes,” leading to conversations about targeted investments that address the unique needs of children facing greater challenges. While no formal votes were taken, a consensus emerged on the need to move beyond current funding strategies and define specific goals and targets within existing categories like operational grants, workforce programs, and behavioral health support. The committee acknowledged the challenge of balancing these forward-thinking aspirations with existing commitments to current grant recipients.

Several crucial issues impacting families and providers were also brought to the forefront. Concerns about the ongoing child care workforce crisis, characterized by low wages and high turnover rates, were highlighted. Committee members explored barriers to access for families, particularly those with lower incomes or facing transportation and affordability challenges. Discussions also touched upon the potential for partnerships between independent schools, higher education institutions, and existing early childhood programs to expand access and provide valuable teacher training opportunities.

Community voices were heard through public comments from Amy Barry of the Partnership for Children, who underscored the workforce challenges and advocated for a broader definition of “early care and education” to include family, friend, and neighbor providers. Corey Price from Evolve Early Learning encouraged the committee to consider supporting independent schools and exploring flexible care models that can adapt to evolving community needs.

Looking ahead, the committee has several key action items on its agenda. The April meeting will focus on grant making following the completion of current reviews and scoring. A "Future State Project" is underway to categorize ideas for future investments, assigning cost estimates and implementation considerations. Furthermore, committee members will be exploring potential data sources and partnerships to gain a deeper understanding of the needs of high-need children, ensuring that future funding decisions are informed by data and a comprehensive understanding of the early childhood ecosystem. The possibility of holding the next meeting virtually was also raised to improve accessibility for all committee members.

Commissioner Al’s remarks highlighted the long-term vision of universal pre-K in Buncombe County, and a potential transition to a 501(c)(3) organization was also mentioned. Dan Wary emphasized the importance of separating current grant review from future planning, and cautioned against overly focusing on public school provision, stressing the need to support private and community-based child care providers.

This meeting demonstrated a strong commitment from the Early Childhood Education & Development Committee to strategically shape the future of early childhood education in Buncombe County, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to thrive. Residents can expect ongoing updates and opportunities for engagement as this important work progresses.