Our Mission

To ensure every child in Durham enters school ready to succeed, we lead community strategies for children birth to age 5 and their families that promote healthy development and learning and enhance access to high quality care.

  • Expanding access
    to early education
  • star
    Improving quality
    of child care
  • Supporting
    families
  • Mobilizing community
    partners

  • Our Mission

  • Events

  • Blog

  • Resources

About Durham's
Partnership for Children

Durham's Partnership for Children leads community strategies for children birth-5 and their families to ensure that every child in Durham enters school healthy and ready to succeed. We administer the Smart Start initiative, NC Pre-K and Early Head Start, as well as community-based programs that promote healthy development and learning and enhance access to high quality care. The Partnership identifies emerging needs and mobilizes partners to support comprehensive approaches to serving all 23,000 young children in Durham.

We are on Instagram

THIS SUNDAY: We`ll be at Move-A-Bull City! Come see us on Sunday, October 4 from noon to 4pm at Durham`s largest open streets event. For one afternoon, 1.2 miles of downtown close to cars and open to people, from the Ellerbe to the ATT, with vendors, food, music, and activities all along the route. ⭐ Stop by, say hello, and enjoy a free day in the streets with us. Check out their website for more info at moveabull.org

#MoveABullCity #DurhamNC #FreeEvent

4 0
Open post by the_partnership_dpfc with ID 17904496665579415
THIS SUNDAY: We'll be at Move-A-Bull City! Come see us on Sunday, October 4 from noon to 4pm at Durham's largest open streets event. For one afternoon, 1.2 miles of downtown close to cars and open to people, from the Ellerbe to the ATT, with vendors, food, music, and activities all along the route. ⭐ Stop by, say hello, and enjoy a free day in the streets with us. Check out their website for more info at moveabull.org #MoveABullCity #DurhamNC #FreeEvent

Ready to guide us through our future? Durham’s Partnership for Children is seeking proposals for Strategic Planning and Consultation services.⭐Proposals are due by Friday, October 16, 2026.

Learn more at: dpfc.net/about-us/careers

4 0
Open post by the_partnership_dpfc with ID 18082284611651276
Ready to guide us through our future? Durham’s Partnership for Children is seeking proposals for Strategic Planning and Consultation services.⭐Proposals are due by Friday, October 16, 2026. Learn more at: dpfc.net/about-us/careers

From birth to age 5, children experience some of the most important years of growth and learning. That`s why Dolly Parton`s Imagination Library provides free, high-quality books each month from birth until a child`s fifth birthday.💙

At Smart Start, we believe those early years matter. Through support for early care and education, literacy, family support, health, and child development, we`re working alongside communities across North Carolina to help children thrive from birth to age 5.

Together, Smart Start and Dolly Parton`s Imagination Library have helped put more than 27 million books into the hands of North Carolina children.💫

This Give Like Dolly Day, help us reach even more children and families through the power of books and the joy of reading! #GiveLikeDolly Make a donation to support children in Durham today: tinyurl.com/DurhamIL

5 0
Open post by the_partnership_dpfc with ID 18035833181831894
From birth to age 5, children experience some of the most important years of growth and learning. That's why Dolly Parton's Imagination Library provides free, high-quality books each month from birth until a child's fifth birthday.💙 At Smart Start, we believe those early years matter. Through support for early care and education, literacy, family support, health, and child development, we're working alongside communities across North Carolina to help children thrive from birth to age 5. Together, Smart Start and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library have helped put more than 27 million books into the hands of North Carolina children.💫 This Give Like Dolly Day, help us reach even more children and families through the power of books and the joy of reading! #GiveLikeDolly Make a donation to support children in Durham today: tinyurl.com/DurhamIL

It can be hard to say goodbye at preschool or daycare drop-off. Check out these creative ideas for creating reassuring goodbye rituals with your child to make school drop-offs easier! 💫 #schooldropoff #Parentingtips

1 0
Open post by the_partnership_dpfc with ID 18398177575202815
It can be hard to say goodbye at preschool or daycare drop-off. Check out these creative ideas for creating reassuring goodbye rituals with your child to make school drop-offs easier! 💫 #schooldropoff #Parentingtips

Learn about #mentalhealth and #resilience in our next Partnership Empower Hour for early childcare providers, featuring Durham County Department of Public Health!

➡️ Join us virtually on Wednesday, October 7th at 6pm: tinyurl.com/eceresilience

#ECE #EarlyChildhood #MentalHealthResource

1 0
Open post by the_partnership_dpfc with ID 17994909407834349
Learn about #mentalhealth and #resilience in our next Partnership Empower Hour for early childcare providers, featuring Durham County Department of Public Health! ➡️ Join us virtually on Wednesday, October 7th at 6pm: tinyurl.com/eceresilience #ECE #EarlyChildhood #MentalHealthResource

Give Like Dolly Day is coming September 25!

Dolly Parton believed every child deserves the opportunity to dream big, and through Dolly Parton`s Imagination Library, millions of children have received books that help make those dreams possible.✨

On September 25, communities across the country will come together to celebrate Dolly`s legacy by supporting local Imagination Library programs. Here in North Carolina, your support helps children receive a free, high-quality book every month from birth to age 5.

Join Smart Start in helping more children discover the joy of reading this Friday, 9/25! #GiveLikeDolly

⭐ Make a donation to our local imagination library at: tinyurl.com/DurhamIL

3 0
Open post by the_partnership_dpfc with ID 17990145872851957
Give Like Dolly Day is coming September 25! Dolly Parton believed every child deserves the opportunity to dream big, and through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, millions of children have received books that help make those dreams possible.✨ On September 25, communities across the country will come together to celebrate Dolly's legacy by supporting local Imagination Library programs. Here in North Carolina, your support helps children receive a free, high-quality book every month from birth to age 5. Join Smart Start in helping more children discover the joy of reading this Friday, 9/25! #GiveLikeDolly ⭐ Make a donation to our local imagination library at: tinyurl.com/DurhamIL
Translate »