Smart Start of Pender County

10/13/2026

10/06/2026

Gear Up for Safety!
Smart Start of Pender County will be giving out bike helmets on Friday, October 16, 2026, from 9 AM–2 PM!

📍 New Health Department & Department of Social Service
Our office will be closed that day—come meet us at the event! Check out the flyer for details and share with a friend!

09/17/2026

🎉 Come celebrate Smart Start Month with us! 🎉

Join Smart Start of Pender County on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM for a morning of fun, fellowship, and celebration!

🥣 Enjoy our delicious yogurt bar
🎶 Music
🎟️ Raffles
☀️ Outdoor activities and more!

📍 600 N. Timberly Lane, Burgaw, NC 28425

Bring the family and help us celebrate how Smart Start builds brighter futures for young children! 💙💛

09/14/2026

Smart Start of Pender County is dedicated to increasing access to high-quality early care and education opportunities.

We work together with local child care centers and homes to ensure that all children have access to:

🧑‍🏫 Highly qualified teachers

🎨 Creative learning activities

🌞 Safe play environments

Check out how we’re serving Pender County at [email protected]

Live outside of our service area? Find your local Smart Start partnership at https://www.smartstart.org/in-your-community/.

09/10/2026

The Smart Start Network works in every community to train and support childcare providers, and additional compensation helps keep skilled teachers in the classroom, where kids need them most.

09/08/2026

In FY 2024–2025, Smart Start Local Partnerships invested:

$103 million in early care and education - funding high-quality child care, coaching for teachers, classroom materials, and more



This investment directly benefits children, their caregivers, and communities in North Carolina. It means-
✅ More classrooms with trained, supported educators
✅ More families connected to reliable, affordable care
✅ More children being set up for lifelong success

09/03/2026

08/27/2026

Governor Stein has officially proclaimed September as Smart Start Month! Join us in celebrating our efforts to ensure every child in North Carolina gets the best start in life. Stay tuned for events, resources, and ways you can get involved!

08/27/2026

Family Engagement and Leadership

Are you pregnant or the parent of a child 5 years of age or younger that has not started public school? Join us as we advocate to ensure all babies have the support they need for a strong start.
Parents will serve as leaders of conversations and meetings around topics concerning early childhood needs and outcomes.

Participants will receive a stipend for their time and commitment. Funding is limited so participation is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If you are interested in learning more about our Family Navigation and/or our parent/family engagement and leadership programs and opportunities call or email Kari Schmidt at (910) 259-9978 ext. 26, Email: [email protected].