Technical Assistance for Early Childhood Programs

We are committed to elevating the quality of early childhood education through comprehensive, on-site technical assistance services. We aim to ensure that every child receives the highest standard of care in licensed child care facilities across North Carolina.

Why Technical Assistance Matters

Technical assistance is a cornerstone of quality improvement in early childhood programs. It offers:

  • Personalized Professional Development: We help educators set, review, and achieve meaningful professional development goals.
  • One-on-One Coaching: Our tailored coaching sessions bridge the gap between group training and real-world classroom practices.
  • Mentorship and Support: We provide ongoing mentoring to reduce staff stress, prevent burnout, and lower turnover rates.
  • Enhanced Program Quality: Our support ensures that programs meet and exceed quality benchmarks, benefiting both staff and children.

Types of On-Site Technical Assistance

We offer several forms of technical assistance to meet the diverse needs of child care providers:

  • Observation and Assessment Visits
    Our specialists conduct structured observations and assessments, including using tools like the Environment Rating Scale (ERS), to evaluate program quality and identify areas for growth.
  • Support and Mentoring Visits
    We collaborate with educators to develop and implement quality improvement plans and professional development strategies tailored to their unique settings.
  • Monitoring Visits
    In partnership with licensing and regulatory agencies, we assess compliance with quality standards and support programs to meet corrective action timelines and improvement goals.

Our Impact

Through our Smart Start-funded initiatives, we’ve helped countless early childhood educators enhance their classroom environments, improve assessment scores, and maintain or increase their star-rated license levels 

Our technical assistance services are designed to build capacity, strengthen early learning systems, and ensure that every child enters kindergarten ready to succeed.


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If you have additional questions, please contact:

  • Julanda Jett – Vice President of Programs: 910-867-9700, ext. 2533
  • Mary Welch – Program Manager: 910-867-9700, ext. 2538
  • Sheila Rowe – Region 5 Program Manager: 910-867-9700, ext. 2537