The announcements, made at a fundraising event on Monday, August 4th, highlight a dedicated and ongoing effort to support the professionals who are the "workforce behind our workforce."
Building on the success of a major initiative following Hurricane Helene in October 2024, the BACCF is launching an annual October campaign for early childhood initiatives. The 2025 goal is ambitious and meaningful: to raise $50,000 to cover the October childcare tuition for early childcare workers in Watauga County.
This campaign directly addresses a major legislative priority in North Carolina and aims to be a model for other counties. As Boone Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO David Jackson stated, "If we can provide this type of assistance in Watauga County, even for a month, perhaps this will show leaders around the state what the impact could look like in the other 99-counties."
This sentiment was echoed by Halee Hartley, owner of Kid Cove, who emphasized the often-unseen value of childcare workers. "They are teaching and fostering growth in our next generation of leaders," Hartley said. "Locally, we’re in a prime position to change that by recognizing the value of childcare workers, honor their commitment, and ensure they receive the respect, pay, and support they truly deserve.”
In addition to the annual campaign, the BACCF proudly announced that it has fully funded the "Pathways to Accreditation" program for the coming year, thanks to a combination of grants, support from the Watauga County Board of Commissioners, and private donations. This program, administered by The Children’s Council of Watauga County, is a high-quality initiative that provides training, mentoring, and evaluation for early childhood educators and licensed centers. Modeled after the rigorous standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the program aims to improve early childhood settings by strengthening teacher-child interactions, increasing professionalism, and promoting ongoing professional development.
Typically, NAEYC accreditation is a significant financial burden for childcare centers. However, the BACCF's funding provides the "Pathways to Accreditation" support free of charge for the 19 local childcare programs currently enrolled. The program also offers support for staff education and compensation enhancements for centers that complete their accreditation. In the past year, the program has directly supported center directors and 61 lead teachers who serve 530 children, all of whom have benefited from this professional growth.
Ethan Dodson, Director of Development for the BACCF, underscored the long-term impact of these efforts. "Giving to early childhood education is an immediate and long term investment in our educators, workers, and children," he said.
Elisha Childers, Executive Director of The Children’s Council of Watauga County, highlighted how the program directly benefits the community's youngest residents. "We achieve these goals by focusing on improving teachers’ skills and confidence in the classroom, so they are better able to deliver effective and positive one-on-one engagement with their students," she explained.
The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation's commitment to early childcare is a testament to the belief that investing in the community’s youngest members and the professionals who care for them is a vital step toward a stronger, more vibrant Watauga County.
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