We are a non-profit corporation whose goal is to prepare children, in our bi-county area (Hertford and Northampton Counties), ages birth to five years, mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially ready to enter school. We strive to make meaningful and measurable investments in young children. Our goal is to ensure that young children achieve their fullest potential. Incorporated in 1994, we are one of 75 Smart Start partnerships in the state of North Carolina. We work with families, childcare providers, early childhood educators, the local community, and other non-profit organizations to achieve our mission and vision of impacting school readiness through healthy and nurturing learning environments.

Our Funding

Each year, the Hertford-Northampton Smart Start Partnership for Children receives funds to invest in programs that offer quality early childcare, assistance with finding childcare services, parent and family support services, childcare provider training, and early literacy. The bulk of our funding is provided through North Carolina’s nationally recognized Smart Start initiative. Smart Start was created in 1993 as an innovative solution to a problem: Children were coming to school unprepared and not ready to learn. Policymakers recognized that progress would require tapping into the same innovative spirit that inspired private sector advances, and therefore, established Smart Start as a public/private partnership. Independent, private organizations work in all 100 North Carolina counties through The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.  We also receive private funding through grants, through private donations from businesses, and from individuals.