Latino families in Mecklenburg County value education – but don’t enroll in early education programs. Here’s why, and what we can do about it.
By Sarah Ostyn, The Early Action Project
The research is clear: 90% of the brain develops before age 51.
Experiences that occur during this period set the stage for everything that is to come, making early childhood an exciting and significant time in our lives. Children – especially immigrant children and those in low-income households2 – who participate in high-quality early care and education, also known as ECE, have higher educational attainment, resulting in stronger communities and local economic growth3.
Mecklenburg County has taken several steps to support families during early childhood, including expanding the MECK Pre-K program and eligibility for childcare subsidy. The County continues to focus on this priority with the Prenatal-to-Three Strategic Plan well underway. These efforts are increasing family engagement with the ECE system – but for one group of children, these efforts are not enough.
A recently published study by Stephanie Potochnick, Ph.D., of the Center for Migration and Diaspora Study at UNC Charlotte, titled “Missed Opportunities: Promoting Latino Early Care and Education Access in Mecklenburg, NC,”4 examines the growing population of Latino families in the County and seeks to understand both why families are not enrolling their young children in ECE programs and what the community can do better to support its Latino neighbors.
For Mecklenburg to thrive, it must invest in young Latino children – the County’s future workforce – by expanding access to high-quality early care and education.
Why This Study, Why Now
A Shifting Population
Between 1990 and 2019, the Latino population in Mecklenburg ballooned from 2% to 14%. With birth rates for Latino families outpacing the current population, the makeup of the county will continue diversifying over the next several decades, reaching nearly a quarter of the total population by 20405.
This shift is already clear among young children – 21% of whom are now Latino. With this growing demographic, it is imperative that community priorities and strategies for engaging these children and families also shift.
ECE Enrollment Disparity
Mecklenburg County has made strong efforts to increase the accessibility of early childhood programming. Yet, only 31% of young Latino children in the county participate. This is less than both non-Hispanic Black children (47%) and non-Hispanic white children (66%).
Young Latino families contribute to the vibrancy of Mecklenburg County. By ensuring they have access to community supports, the County will grow toward a future of shared educational and economic success.
What the Study Found
Through focus groups, Latina mothers shared why they do not enroll their young children in ECE programs, and how providers and the community can shift this reality.
What Latino Families Value in ECE Programs
Young Latina mothers report strong buy-in to their children’s education. They want ECE programs that reflect and honor their values and meet their diverse needs.
- Many Latina mothers stay home with their young children, often prioritizing caregiving over career or education. They seek more parent-centered ECE programs that offer parenting education and socialization opportunities – honoring their caregiving role while strengthening early learning at home.
- Some Latina mothers work or go to school part-time and need affordable, part-time ECE options. These programs let families balance their desire for high-quality education with active involvement in their children’s early years.
- Others work non-standard hours and need full-time care with flexible schedules. Programs that offer evening or weekend options help meet families’ economic realities while ensuring consistent, quality care for their children.
Barriers Families Face
Navigating the system of ECE programs across Mecklenburg County can be complicated. There are locally-, state-, and federally-funded programs that make up the complex web, and educational and community-based organizations that administer various home-, center and school-based options. While resources exist to help families navigate their options, they are often only available in English and may not include information about eligibility. Are families with a stay-at-home parent eligible? Do children with an undocumented parent qualify? Will enrolling in this program risk my immigration status? These barriers, whether real or perceived, ultimately impact enrollment in the ECE programs.
Families also report issues with the availability of ECE programs that fit their varied schedules. Parent-centered programs, part-time schedules and care during nontraditional work hours are all necessary to fit the range of needs of Latino families. Alongside issues of affordability, these challenges keep parents out of the workforce and contribute to the overall lower incomes of Latino families in Mecklenburg.
Beyond structural barriers, Latina mothers described discrimination or feeling unwelcomed at programs not designed for Latino families. Culturally-relevant programs and bilingual staff foster the trust families seek.
Addressing barriers to access by developing programs based on the values of Latino families will support increased enrollment in ECE.
Paths Forward
Latina mothers gave strong insights into ways that the ECE system can better serve their families.
- Improve bilingual access and outreach
Families can’t access what they don’t know exists. Resource guides should be translated into Spanish and shared through trusted networks such as churches and community organizations. - Expand flexible, affordable, and culturally responsive ECE options
Care options should match families’ needs. Expanding parent-centered, part-time, evening and weekend care – and allowing stay-at-home parents to access childcare subsidies – would increase access to ECE opportunities. - Strengthen community partnerships and bilingual staffing
Many Latino families hesitate to engage with formal systems – now, more than ever. Partnering with trusted community groups and hiring more bilingual staff can build trust and increase enrollment. - Address systemic and policy barriers
Policies like local law enforcement agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and NC House Bill 10 create fear – even affecting documented immigrants. This chilling effect that has always impacted Latino families is even more prevalent today. Reversing these policies would help make Mecklenburg County a place where Latino families feel safe, welcome, and connected.
The Opportunity Ahead
Early childhood is a time of immense excitement and anticipation. Families with young children begin to dream of the future and create paths for their children to flourish. Children’s experiences during this period can have a profound impact on their trajectory – from education and employment, to happiness and health. Mecklenburg County should be a place where families can see themselves growing and thriving for generations to come. To turn this dream into a reality, fair access to early care and education programs must be a priority. And who better to learn from than families themselves? Latino families want clear information, flexible options and policies that help them feel safe. And they want what all families want – happy, healthy children who grow into happy, healthy adults. By listening to families and building systems that reflect their realities, Mecklenburg can ensure every child’s first steps lead toward a thriving future.
References
1 Center on the Developing Child. (2019, July 2). Brain architecture. Harvard University. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/brainarchitecture/
2 Child Development. (2021, October 18). Adult outcomes of sustained high-quality early child care and education: Do they vary by family income? Society for Research in Child Development. https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cdev.13696
3 Leading on Opportunity. (2017). Leading on opportunity: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force report. Foundation for the Carolinas. https://www.fftc.org/sites/default/files/2018-05/LeadingOnOpportunity_Report.pdf
4 ARTICLE
5 Mecklenburg County. (2019). Mecklenburg County pulse report 2019. Office of Strategy and Innovation. https://strategy.mecknc.gov/