As we end the year, we look back at some of the important viewpoints about early childhood education shared during 2024. Here’s one from leaders in North Carolina that applies on a national level. On May 16, we will be closing our childcare centers for a day – signaling a crisis that could soon sweep across North Carolina, dismantling the very backbone of our economy: childcare. This one-day action, organized by a coalition of partners under Child Care for NC: United for Change, is not merely a protest; it’s a stark preview of the devastating impact awaiting us as federal pandemic-era funding ends. Without decisive action, North Carolina risks losing over 1,500 child care programs, affecting nearly 92,000 children and their families. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about our state’s future and the lives of the working families who depend on these essential services.