Wake County Smart Start

Around thirty years ago, Wake County Smart Start was formed to ensure that children from birth to five years old are prepared for success in school and life. They do this by working to improve the quality, accessibility, and affordability of childcare. They also provide health, early intervention, and family support services.

The importance of early childhood preparation at such a young age is that an infant's brain is not fully developed at birth. The brain is still growing and developing synapses that can set a child up for a healthy and academically successful future. The fact is children who have an early education perform better in school, are more likely to stay in school, go to college, and earn more money.

Note four Wake Pre‐K Programs below.

1. NC Pre‐K provides children aged four years old with a high‐quality classroom program.
2. Telamon Head Start combines Wake County Smart Start and Telamon Corporation to provide Head Start programs for children aged three to four years old.
3. The Wake County Public School System Title I Program prepares children to enter Kindergarten ready to learn and succeed.
4. Wake County Human Services Child Care Subsidy provides families with financial assistance for childcare needs. Assistance is based on need, income, and family size.

Another service that Wake County Smart Start provides to pregnant mothers, new moms, and families with children is called Wake Connections. After completing an application, families are matched with home‐based services that offer parenting skills, school readiness, child development, behavior management, pregnancy and postpartum support, and support to first‐time moms. When you match with a service, Wake Connections completes the referral, and the appropriate program you matched with will start the service.

To learn more about any of these services, visit Wake County Smart Start's website at www.wakesmartstart.org.