Cabarrus County, NC
County Budget
In 2021, the Lockhart Child Development Center opened in Cabarrus County, NC to provide child care for county government employees, with the county paying 50% of tuition. The County upfitted two classrooms at All Saints Episcopal Church and made a one-time grant of $225,000 from its Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) funds to support start-up costs, wages and a playground replacement. Significant interior remodeling expenses were funded entirely by All Saints parishioners, two Cannon Foundation grants totalling $300,000 and in-kind support from local businesses. An additional $375,000 covered the first-year cost of subsidizing tuition for county employees with an annual line item in the county budget of approximately $312,000.
number of children under age six who live in families with all parents working in Cabarrus County
number of children under age six in families with income less than 200% of the federal poverty level
Challenges
Finding a Space
Finding a building for a child care center can often be difficult, however strong community engagement in Cabarrus County helped locate one. The cost to upfit and meet code for two classrooms in the Education wing at All Saints Episcopal Church was significant. It included installing a sprinkler system, technology upgrades, renovating bathrooms, and building a new playground and commercial kitchen. While unexpected costs were incurred during the project, the congregation and local businesses stepped in to provide financial and in-kind support.
Loss of COVID Stabilization Grants
Due to loss of stabilization grants in 2026, the center could maintain salaries but was not able to offer bonuses to center staff.
Getting to Action
The Lockhart Child Development Center grew as part of the County’s efforts to support early childhood systems and further the County’s progress on their Early Childhood Action Plan (ECAP) which aligns with the measures laid out in the North Carolina Early Childhood Action Plan. (ECAP) The state plan recommends concrete measures and steps counties and municipalities can take to achieve better health and well-being of children.
| 2019 | The Cabarrus County Early Childhood Task Force Advisory Board meets to consider how it can address the goals of the state’s ECAP. |
| 2020 | The Cabarrus County Needs Assessment identified early childhood education and development as one of the top three priorities for the county, with housing and mental and behavioral health as the other priorities. |
| 2020 | Just as the pandemic was ramping up and many child care centers were forced to close, the Cabarrus County Early Childhood Task Force Advisory Board recommended to the Board of County Commissioners a public-private partnership to expand child care access in the community. |
| 2020 | The County Commissioners supported the recommendation, and a partnership between Cabarrus County government and All Saints Episcopal Church was formed with a goal to open a child care center at the church for use by county employees and the community. |
| 2021 | The Lockhart Child Development Center opened, providing child care for county government employees and the community. The Center offers child care for infants, toddlers, and three-and-four-year-olds. In total, there are 76 slots for children at the center, 40 of which are reserved for county employees. |
Results
Annually, the County budget includes a line item for its contribution to employees’ child care expenses.
The Lockhart Child Care Center has expanded from two to six classrooms and utilizes the highest voluntary enhanced ratios and group sizes, ensuring a very low staff-to-child ratio. The center also opens at 6:30 am, which is important for many county employees.
The five-star center has 76 slots, with 40 reserved for county employees’ children.
Educators and staff at the center earn a living wage and have benefits, which helps prevent teacher turnover.
The Lockhart Child Care Center utilizes the highest voluntary enhanced ratios and group sizes, ensuring a very low staff-to-child ratio.
Keys to Success
Diverse stakeholder engagement through the Cabarrus County Early Childhood Task Force Advisory Board
Successfully building strong community support to provide more parents with access to child care
Decision by the county to use CARES funds to support the start up of the center
Public-private partnerships that included the county, foundations, and both All Saints leadership and parishioners