Early Childhood Education & Development Committee | March 10, 2026

Key Decisions

The only formal action taken at the March 10, 2026 meeting was the approval of the minutes from the February 3, 2026 meeting, which passed unanimously. No other votes or formal decisions were recorded during the session.

Discussion Highlights

The primary focus of the meeting was a "Focused Initiative Discussion" led by Dan Wuori, Ph.D., regarding the future state of the Buncombe County Early Childhood Education and Development Fund (ECEDF). The committee explored how to move beyond the current grant-making cycle to create a more targeted, long-term strategy for early childhood development. Key topics included defining what it means for children to "thrive" in the county, with an emphasis on safety, health, food security, and equitable access to quality care.

Significant challenges were identified during the discussion, including a critical workforce crisis characterized by low wages, high turnover, and staffing shortages that contribute to "childcare deserts" even in affluent areas like Asheville. The committee also addressed the fragmented nature of the local support system, noting that "silos" of funding across different agencies hinder effective collaboration. Additionally, the group discussed the need for better data to identify children at highest risk and to understand why eligible families are not accessing available subsidized slots.

The discussion also touched on the potential for co-locating childcare in public school buildings as enrollment declines, while highlighting the risks this could pose to private and community-based providers. The committee noted that the fund’s resolution offers flexibility to serve the 0-5 age spectrum, prioritize specific ages, or focus on those with the highest needs, though $4 million in funding was acknowledged as insufficient to comprehensively meet all county needs.

Community Input

During the public comment period, Amy Berry, Executive Director of the Buncombe Partnership for Children, spoke regarding the challenges facing the sector, including low teacher wages, high turnover, and a lack of access for children with special needs. Corey Price, Director of Evolve Early Learning, thanked the committee for their work and emphasized the importance of continued support. An anonymous commenter raised concerns about the regulatory differences between K-12 schools and early childhood education providers.

Follow-ups

Several members agreed to specific follow-up actions to support the committee's strategic planning. Rachel Sawyer agreed to conduct research on data sources to inform future discussions, with findings to be presented at the May meeting. Heather Zanzig encouraged other members to schedule informal "coffee meetings" to brainstorm ideas. Additionally, Rachel Sawyer agreed to receive a recommended data source from an anonymous commenter.

Impact

This meeting marks a shift in the committee's focus from immediate grant scoring to long-term strategic planning for the county's early childhood ecosystem. By identifying systemic barriers such as workforce shortages and fragmented funding, the committee is laying the groundwork for a more coordinated approach to ensuring every child has an equal opportunity to thrive. The next meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2026, and will be dedicated to the current grant-making process, with a scoring deadline of March 31, 2026.