Recognizing the Need for Rural Child Care

A young girl enjoys a story at a child care center at a United Methodist Church in North Carolina.

To support communities and United Methodist churches in rural North Carolina, The Duke Endowment helps rural congregations begin and expand child care programs.

Challenge

Nearly 3 million people live in rural North Carolina, according to the Rural Assistance Center, a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Rural Initiative. These areas are estimated to have a poverty rate of nearly 17 percent, as compared to 13.2 percent in urban areas. More than 27 percent of North Carolina's rural population has not completed high school, and the unemployment rate is more than 5 percent.

Preparing Children for School

The early years of life are pivotal for a child's mental and physical development, and quality child care programs can help prepare children and families for success in school, and beyond. Rural areas, however, might have restricted capital and limited financial resources to start a center, and a lack of competition can stymie efforts to improve quality. Cost can be a hurdle, too: On average, wages are lower in rural areas, and demand for affordable child care is high.

Response

Many United Methodist churches in rural North Carolina have opened child care centers as a way to help their congregations and communities. Knowing that high-quality centers can prepare children for school and lifetime learning, The Duke Endowment has supported those efforts with grants to build facilities, buy playground equipment and train staff.

Supporting a Range of Child Care Services

One center, for example, is housed at Sandy Plains United Methodist Church in Pembroke, N.C. A $13,000 grant from the Endowment in 2002 bought educational supplies and equipment. An $18,000 grant in 2006 helped with quality improvements. And $135,000 was awarded in 2008 for general support.

Other recent grants include:

• $15,000 to enhance the after-school program at Red Hill United Methodist Church in Bakersville, N.C.
• $50,000 to support a summer enrichment and after-school program at Brevard's Chapel united Methodist Church in Denver, N.C.
• $72,500 to support the child care program and nursery at FaithWalk United Methodist Church in Gibsonville, N.C., by enhancing the playground and shelter area.
• $20,000 to expand the child care program and work toward a four-star rating at Sandy Grove United Methodist Church in Lumber Bridge, N.C.
• $90,000 to support the Solid Start center at Solid Rock United Methodist Church in Olivia, N.C.

The Endowment has supported child care at rural churches for more than 20 years. In 2008, it awarded 29 grants totaling $1.3 million.

Participating Sites in North Carolina

• North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church, Raleigh
• Western North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church, Charlotte

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