Stokes Partnership for Children

New Life Childcare Center is hiring. 😀

Last week to sign up! Still a few spots available. 🙋‍♀️🙋🙋‍♂️📚📖

🎉👏 Congratulations to Brittany Davis and Teashie Parnell!

We are delighted to celebrate these two outstanding Workforce Innovation to Support Early Education (WISEE) students! On June 11, Brittany and Teashie were recognized for their hard work and commitment to advancing their careers in early childhood education.

🌟 Brittany Davis was presented with a certificate and a $1,000 incentive check to support her educational journey. She is a teacher at First Step Childcare in Germanton and a recent graduate of Forsyth Technical Community College, where she earned her Associate in Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education-General. Brittany shared that the financial incentive and being pushed to do her best were the most beneficial aspects of her involvement with WISEE.

🌟 Teashie Parnell has participated in the WISEE program multiple times and consistently finds new training opportunities that complement her studies. Teashie was presented with a certificate and a check for $1,000. She shared that the most beneficial aspect of her involvement with WISEE this session was locating more valuable resources for early childhood education. Teashie is currently a student at Surry Community College, with plans to graduate with her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education next spring, and is a dedicated teacher at Kidz Community Childcare Center right here in King.

We are so proud of both of these incredible ladies and grateful to have them shaping the youngest minds in our community!

The WISEE program provides financial incentives, enhanced educational opportunities, and ongoing support for students with the goal of increasing the number of highly qualified early childhood professionals in the workforce.For more information, contact Jessicca Smith at [email protected] or 336-985-2657 ext. 145.

🌟 Please join us in celebrating Brittany and Teashie’s hard work, dedication, and inspiring futures in early education!

🎉👏 Congratulations to Shauna Slater!

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Workforce Innovation to Support Early Education (WISEE) student, Shauna Slater! On June 11, Shauna was presented with a certificate and a check for $1,046.20 as an incentive to continue her journey toward earning her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Shauna is currently balancing life as a dedicated mother of three boys, an Assistant Teacher at King Elementary School’s Pre-K, and a student at Forsyth Technical Community College.

Shauna shared the following about her experience in the WISEE program:

“The WISEE and EQPD programs have been a tremendous support in my educational journey. As a working adult pursuing my degree, these programs have encouraged me to continue my education and stay focused on achieving my goals. They have helped make it possible for me to further my knowledge and skills in early childhood education while working toward a brighter future for myself and the children I will serve.”

The WISEE program provides financial incentives, enhanced educational opportunities, and ongoing support for students with the goal of increasing the number of highly qualified early childhood professionals in the workforce.

For more information, contact Jessicca Smith at [email protected] or 336-985-2657 ext. 145.

🌟 Please join us in celebrating Shauna’s hard work, dedication, and inspiring future in early education!

Pictured: Left, Shauna Slater, WISEE student; Right, Jessicca Smith, Early Education Workforce Specialist

Don't miss out on this free fantastic reading opportunity for your little readers this summer! Your child will have the chance to enjoy many different books throughout the 6 week bag exchanges. See you soon!

This notification is to inform all Stokes County child care centers that Stokes Partnership for Children (SPC), the NC Pre-K Program Contract Administrator for Stokes County, is accepting applications to provide NC Pre-K services beginning with the 2026-2027 school year (existing sites do not re-apply). Original applications with supporting documents must be received (not postmarked) no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 10, 2026. Faxed or emailed copies will not be accepted.

Eligible NC Pre-K sites must hold a 4 or 5 star-rated license from the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE); OR a Temporary License with a plan to obtain a 4- or 5- star license within six months of Temporary License effective date and meet NC Pre-K Program Requirements and Guidance, which can be found at http://ncchildcare.dhhs.gov/ Please refer to this document for required staff qualifications for Site Administrator, Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher; and approved curricula implementation for NC Pre-K classrooms. SPC will contract with approved sites and monitor for compliance per NC Pre-K Program requirements.

A non-conflicted sub-committee of the Stokes County NC Pre-K Committee will review all applications and use standardized evaluation tools to make recommendations to the full committee for final approval. All sites submitting applications will be notified of recommendations by July 20, 2026. Being recommended as a site does not guarantee funding. Funding is contingent upon the NC General Assembly. All county funding is allocated by the Stokes County NC Pre-K Committee.

A voluntary information meeting will be held at Stokes Partnership for Children on Monday, June 15th, at 10:00 am. You must register by 5pm, 6/10/26, to attend. To register call 336-985-2676.

Please direct any questions regarding the application process to Shannon Cox, NC Pre-K Coordinator, at Stokes Partnership for Children (336-985-2676) or [email protected] .

Stokes Partnership for Children was honored to help host the Stokes County Child Care Crisis Economic Development Summit on May 18 in partnership with ExCEL NC, NC Child, Forsyth Tech, Northwestern Regional Library, Stokes County Economic Development, Stokes United, the Rotary Club of King, and the King Chamber of Commerce. We appreciate the Stokes County Arts Council for allowing us to host the event at The Arts Place in Danbury. The event brought together an impressive group of business leaders, elected officials, child care providers, educators, and community members to discuss one of the most pressing issues facing our workforce and economy. Attendees heard expert presentations on the impact of the child care crisis and participated in a thoughtful panel discussion featuring Justin Duncan, Chair, Stokes County Schools Board of Education, Pastor Mt. Calvary Baptist Church; Myranda Calloway, School Director of KinderCare Learning Center, King, NC; Staci Watkins, Early Childhood Instructor, Teacher Education, Forsyth Tech Community College; Dr. Brad Rice, Superintendent, Stokes County Schools; Jamie Clark, Human Resources Director, Stokes County; and Kim McClure, VP of Youth Development Experience, YMCA of NWNC; with remarks from Representative Kyle Hall. Together, they shared valuable perspectives on how child care challenges affect local businesses, families, and economic growth. We were encouraged by the strong turnout and meaningful conversations that took place, and we look forward to continuing this important work with our community partners. Together, we can create a stronger future for children, families, employers, and the economy of Stokes County.

Congratulations to Sarah McKnight! 🎉👏

We are incredibly proud to celebrate former and current WISEE student, Sarah McKnight! On May 21st, Sarah was presented with a certificate and a check for $1,024.50 as an incentive to continue her journey toward becoming an early childhood teacher.

Sarah is currently balancing life as a dedicated stay-at-home mom and a student at Forsyth Technical Community College, with big plans to continue pursuing her career in early childhood education.

Here is what Sarah had to say about her experience in this session of the WISEE program:

"My involvement with WISEE has had a meaningful impact on my life. The most beneficial aspect has been gaining a deeper understanding of how early childhood support systems truly affect families and communities. Through this experience, I've been able to learn the importance of collaboration, advocacy, and resource sharing in helping children thrive. WISEE has helped me grow more confident and more intentional on how to support children and their families."

The WISEE program provides financial incentives, enhanced educational opportunities and support for students with a goal to increase the workforce of higher-educated early childhood professionals. For more information, contact Jessicca Smith at [email protected] or by calling 336-985-2657 Ext. 145.

Please join us in celebrating Sarah’s hard work, dedication, and inspiring future in early education! 🌟📚✨

Governor Stein Celebrates Child Care Providers, Urges General Assembly to Invest in North Carolina's Future

https://www.commerce.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2026/05/20/governor-stein-celebrates-child-care-providers-urges-general-assembly-invest-north-carolinas-future?fbclid=IwY2xjawR-nmBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVQXZwcmJVckRlYlpyZjB3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhoIi7UMno4ZlIaRHk5HpcbDG8XvPHsqtDE3ce2u6HXMCnHKY32XIK08i8YL_aem_7T3PMxi-V_y6zIF61Gm1Ig

Governor Stein Celebrates Child Care Providers, Urges General Assembly to Invest in North Carolina's Future Today Governor Josh Stein celebrated North Carolina’s child care providers and presented a proclamation honoring Child Care Provider Appreciation Day. “Child…