As other states expand quality pre-K, North Carolina lags behind

By: Clayton Henkel

Outlets: North Carolina Newsline

Published: April 23, 2026

Words: 601

Last Updated: 3 months, 1 week ago

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A new national study by the National Institute for Early Education Research finds North Carolina ranks 32nd in the nation in providing preschool access to four-year-olds. The 2025 State of Preschool Yearbook notes that North Carolina spent less on preschool programs and enrolled fewer children in the 2024-2025 school year than the previous year.

According to the report, N.C. Pre-K served 26,707 of the state’s four-year-olds, about 21%. Compare that to South Carolina, which …

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