Durham’s Partnership for Children funds and works alongside high-quality, evidence-based programs, investing public dollars where there is a data-driven need and a proven impact.
The first 2,000 days shape a child’s future ability to succeed in school, work and life. That’s where Durham’s Partnership for Children comes in.
Brain Development: The vast majority of brain development occurs during early childhood. Between birth and age 3, a child’s brain forms over a million neural connections every second.
Positive Childhood Experiences: The experiences we have during early childhood build the foundation for healthy development. Positive Childhood Experiences create resilience, improve mental health, and buffer against long-term effects of adversity.
Return on Investment: Studies show that every dollar invested in early childhood education yields a significant societal return on investment — as much as $16 for every $1 invested.
There are 23, 274 children birth to age 5 living in Durham County.
The market rate for a child care slot for a 2-year-old in a 4-star center is $15,605/year.
81% of child care centers are 4-or 5-star facilities.
In the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2025 Kids Count Report, North Carolina ranked 34 out of 50 in overall child well-being:
29/50 for economic well-being
23/50 for education
36/50 for health
34/50 for family and community
