Our Why: The Need for Inclusive, Accessible Childcare in Wake County
A Growing Childcare Need in a Growing Community
Wake County is one of North Carolina’s fastest‑growing communities, with an estimated population of 1,257,235 residents as of July 2025, an 11.3% increase since 2020. Children under age five make up approximately 5.5% of the population, and children under 18 represent 22%.
This continued growth is driving demand for dependable childcare and early learning services that families can both afford and trust. CareRestores Foundation seeks to address a critical gap in Wake County: the shortage of affordable, high‑quality, inclusive childcare that supports the whole child and welcomes children with diverse developmental, behavioral, and learning needs.
The need is especially urgent for working families. Approximately 50,583 children under age six in Wake County live in families where one or both parents are working, underscoring the essential role childcare plays in family economic stability and workforce participation. Yet access to care remains a challenge. In November 2024, 1,003 eligible children were waiting for childcare subsidy assistance in Wake County, even though the county invested more than $53 million in state and federal childcare assistance during fiscal year 2024.
Childcare Is Becoming Increasingly Difficult for Families to Afford
Availability alone does not solve the problem. For many families, childcare remains financially out of reach. A 2025 Wake County Living Income Standard shows that a household with one adult and two children needs approximately $102,120 annually, or $49.10 per hour per adult—to meet basic needs with little financial cushion. Childcare represents about $2,020 per month, or $24,210 annually, for this family structure.
These costs place significant pressure on families already struggling to cover housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other essentials. Wake County’s economic conditions further reinforce the need for accessible childcare. Approximately 9% of children in the county live in poverty, and families experiencing economic hardship are especially vulnerable when childcare options are limited, expensive, or inflexible.
A Supply Problem Is Making the Situation Worse
The childcare system itself is under significant strain. North Carolina experienced a net loss of 113 childcare programs in 2025, following years of instability in the sector. At the same time, the state’s childcare subsidy waitlist has grown, while the number of children receiving subsidies has declined. As of March 2026, more than 8,300 children were on the state’s childcare subsidy waitlist.
Workforce shortages are another major barrier. North Carolina’s median wage for a lead childcare teacher is approximately $13.69 per hour, and programs face high staff turnover. The childcare workforce experienced a 38% turnover rate in 2023, compared with about 4% across the state’s total workforce. These challenges contribute to program closures, limited enrollment capacity, staffing instability, and reduced choices for families.
The Gap in Inclusive Childcare
CareRestores recognizes another critical dimension of the problem: not every childcare environment is equipped or prepared to serve children with diverse abilities, developmental needs, behavioral challenges, and social‑emotional needs. Families may encounter programs that have limited capacity or staffing, are not designed to provide individualized support, or lack training or resources to serve children who need additional help.
This need exists within a broader community where 6.4% of Wake County residents under age 65 are living with a disability. CareRestores seeks to help close this gap by intentionally developing a childcare environment where inclusion is part of the program’s identity, not an after thought.
The Consequences of Inaction
When families cannot access reliable and appropriate childcare, the impact is felt across the entire community. For parents, this can mean missed work, reduced productivity, and difficulty maintaining stable employment. For employers, the consequences are substantial: a 2024 analysis estimated that childcare‑related worker disruptions cost North Carolina’s economy approximately $5.65 billion annually. Wake County alone was estimated to experience about $666 million in annual economic losses associated with inadequate childcare.
The CareRestores Response
CareRestores Foundation was created in response to these realities. CareRestores Inclusive Childcare will provide a faith‑based, nurturing, and inclusive childcare environment where children can learn, play, build relationships, and develop foundational skills in a safe and supportive setting. Our model emphasizes:
Inclusive Care
Welcoming children of all abilities and responding to individual strengths and needs.
Whole-Child Development
Supporting cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and character development.
Family Partnership
Working collaboratively with parents as essential partners in development.
Why Now
The need for action is immediate. Wake County continues to grow, families depend on childcare to participate in the workforce, and costs remain a significant expense. CareRestores believes that every child deserves a place where they are safe, loved, included, and given the opportunity to thrive.