In visit to bilingual Concord preschool, Cooper calls childcare shortfall an ’emergency situation’

CONCORD, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — Gov. Roy Cooper visited a Concord preschool Thursday to make a case for additional funding for early childhood education.

He visited Cabarrus Bilingual Preschool, which has been operation for around 10 years, and offers teaching for both Spanish and English-speaking children in language programs before they enter public school.

The trip is one of several Cooper has made across the state as those preschools and places of early childhood education are facing a funding shortfall July 1.

The funding shortfall is tied to the end of COVID relief funds and the lack of an approved state budget.

Cabarrus Bilingual has used the funds to help bring more students into the preschool and also has offered their teachers raises. Director Aurora Swain explained, without that money, services they offer could be dramatically reduced.

“This would be detrimental to what is coming for these kids for their future,” Swain said.

“We are at a critical juncture in our state,” Cooper added after meeting with students. “We are in an emergency situation.”

The visit to Concord comes as the State House approved a $67 million plan to keep funding in place through September, but it has yet to be passed by the Senate.

Cooper has proposed a $765 million investment in childcare, saying “the state can’t be first in business, and be last education.”

“This would allow these facilities to pay their teachers more, it would allow them to lower costs to the parents,” he added.

Parents also spoke about the value of these programs, which include some at-home learning.

Antonyia Rumph, a parent of three children who have made their way through Cabarrus Bilingual, said the preschool was instrumental in helping her become a nurse, while also offering her children the chance to learn a second language.

“Two of my daughters are part of (gifted) and Spanish immersion programs in school today,” said Rumph.

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