North Carolina Preschool Enrollment Drops as Other States Hit Record Highs
While states nationwide hit record highs in preschool funding and enrollment, North Carolina saw declining participation and reduced investments in early childhood education.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina experienced declining preschool enrollment and reduced state investments during the 2024-2025 school year, even as national support for early childhood education reached record levels, according to a new report from the National Institute for Early Education Research.
The report, titled “The State of Preschool 2025,” found that while state support nationwide hit historic highs for enrollment, quality, and funding, North Carolina moved in the opposite direction with both enrollment numbers and government investments falling.
“Unfortunately, in North Carolina, preschool enrollment actually declined as did state government investments,” the researchers noted in their findings.
Georgia Leads Nation in Quality and Access
The report highlighted Georgia as a standout performer, marking the first time a single state has excelled in both access and quality standards for preschool education. This achievement sets Georgia apart from other states that typically excel in one area but not both.
Steve Barnett, Senior Director and Founder of the National Institute for Early Education Research, and Associate Research Professor Allison Friedman-Krauss, the report’s lead author, discussed the findings and their implications for state policymakers.
National Trends Show Strong Investment
Across the United States, the 2024-2025 school year represented a milestone for early childhood education investment. States collectively demonstrated unprecedented commitment to preschool programs through increased funding and expanded access.
The research institute’s annual report serves as a comprehensive analysis of how individual states are performing in supporting high-quality preschool education for young children.
Policy Implications for North Carolina
The contrasting trends between North Carolina and top-performing states like Georgia raise questions about the state’s commitment to early childhood education. While other states expanded their programs and increased quality standards, North Carolina’s declining enrollment and reduced investments suggest a different trajectory.
The National Institute for Early Education Research emphasized the importance of state-level policy decisions in determining preschool access and quality. Their research provides policymakers with data to understand how their states compare nationally and identify areas for improvement.
The complete interview with Barnett and Friedman-Krauss is available through NC Newsline, providing additional context about the report’s findings and recommendations for state policymakers considering preschool investments.
