About Us

Smart Start of Pender County, Inc.

 Helping children, families, child care professionals, and the local community to improve the quality of life for children ages 0-5.

          The Smart Start of Pender County works in collaboration with local agencies to provide services to ALL children 0-5 in the community through programs relating to early care and education, health, and family support. Although the Partnership’s main source of funding is provided by the state, private contributions and other grant sources help the partnership to meet the 10% cash and in-kind match, as well as provide supplemental funding for activities. Pender County Partnership for Children, Inc. is a 501 c (3) non-profit corporation.

Smart Start Questions and Answers

Q.    What is Smart Start?

A.  Smart Start is a statewide program designed to help all of North Carolina's children enter school healthy and ready to learn.

Q.  Why is Smart Start so important?

A.  Scientific research of early brain development indicates that a child's first five years of life are critical to his/her future ability to learn. His/her experiences now will make a difference for a lifetime.

Q.  Who benefits from Smart Start programs?

A.  Smart Start specifically targets children ages 0-5, but potentially everyone in the community can benefit. Families benefit from subsidized child care, literacy programs, higher quality child care, and parent education programs. Child Care providers benefit from increased training, facility enhancement, and pay incentives. Employers benefit from an increase in employee time and productivity on the job due to an increase in the quality and reliability of child care. Smart Start benefits entire communities!

Q.  How is Smart Start different from programs with similar names?

A.  Smart Start is unique in that each community decides how Smart Start funding can best meet its needs. We work in collaboration with several local agencies to serve all children 0-5 in the community through child care, health care, and family support services. We do not target any particular population or income group.

Q.  How is Smart Start funded?

A.  Although each local Partnership receives a funding allocation from the state, we also rely on private contributions to help meet the needs of the community. Pender County Partnership for Children, Inc. is a 501-(c) 3, private, non-profit corporation, and all contributions are tax deductible.

Q.  How can I help Smart Start to be a success in my community?

A.  Get Involved! Contact Pender County Partnership for Children, Inc. to see how you can help. Advocating for children, volunteering your time and resources, and financial contributions are all significant ways you can make a difference.

Remember- because children are our greatest resource.

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