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Action Plan: Building a Charlotte With Affordable, Accessible, High-Quality Childcare for All

As a father, veteran, and small business owner, Brendan K. Maginnis understands the burden skyrocketing childcare costs place on Charlotte’s working families. Our city is one of the fastest-growing in the nation, yet too many low- and middle-income families struggle to afford quality childcare. Brendan’s plan will make childcare accessible and affordable, ensuring every child gets a strong start and every parent can pursue their career without financial strain.

Expanding Successful Local Actions

Establishing more seats for Meck Pre-K and expanding the Alternatives to Violence Program to include after-school and summer care

Innovative Actions from Other U.S. Cities

Introducing Charlotte 3-K, Charlotte Tri-share, and childcare subsidies to reduce childcare costs

New Funding Partners and Organizations

Establishing new relationships to bring innovative solutions

Reducing Costs For Low-income and Middle Class Households

Free childcare for families below the Federal Poverty Level (100% FPL) and sliding scale reduction for families all the way up to 575% of FPL

Vision:

A childcare plan that builds on Charlotte’s strengths, expands proven local programs, and adopts innovative solutions from across the U.S. to deliver results for low- and middle-income families.

1. Expanding Successful Local Actions

- MECK Pre-K Expansion: Mecklenburg County’s MECK Pre-K program, launched in 2018, currently serves over 1,200 children with free pre-K for 4-year-olds. Maginnis will expand this by adding 1,000 new seats annually, targeting low-income and middle-class families in underserved neighborhoods like the “crescent” (north, east, and west Charlotte). This builds on the program’s proven success in improving kindergarten readiness by 20% in participating children. Cost: $8 million annually, funded by local property tax reallocation and corporate partnerships.(https://opportunityinsights.org/charlotte/)
- Alternatives to Violence Childcare Integration: Mayor Lyles’ Alternatives to Violence program has reduced violent crime in areas like Mecklenburg County by 15% through community engagement. Maginnis will integrate subsidized childcare and after-school programs into this initiative, offering free or low-cost care for children in high-risk areas during after-school hours and summer, supporting working parents and reducing youth crime. Cost: $5 million annually, funded by CCDBG and Truist Foundation. https://www.yapinc.org/CharlotteATV

2. Innovative Actions from Other U.S. Cities

- Charlotte 3-K Program (Inspired by NYC): New York City’s 3-K program provides free or low-cost pre-K for 3-year-olds, with over $3 billion invested to create 1,500 new seats in high-need areas. Maginnis will pilot a Charlotte 3-K program, offering free care for low-income families (below 100% FPL) and sliding-scale fees for middle-class families (100–575% FPL). This will add 1,000 seats in neighborhoods like Grier Heights, with a focus on early childhood development. Cost: $10 million annually, funded by Bank of America and Truist. https://growingupnyc.cityofnewyork.us/programs/3-k-for-all/
- Charlotte Tri-Share Program (Inspired by Michigan): Michigan’s Tri-Share program splits childcare costs equally among the state, employers, and families, targeting workers earning 200–325% FPL. Maginnis will partner with Charlotte employers like Bank of America and Lowe’s to launch a similar program, reducing costs by up to 66% for middle-class families and making childcare accessible for low-income workers. Cost: $7 million annually, with $2 million from the city, $3 million from employers, and $2 million from CCDBG. https://www.michigan.gov/mileap/early-childhood-education/mi-tri-share-child-care
- Vermont-Style Subsidy Expansion: Vermont’s childcare subsidies cover families earning up to 575% FPL, with copays capped at 7% of income. Maginnis will adopt this model, expanding North Carolina’s subsidy eligibility (currently 200% FPL) to include middle-class families, ensuring no family pays more than 7% of income on childcare. This will benefit 10,000 additional Charlotte households. Cost: $12 million annually, funded by CCDBG and local taxes. https://www.healthykidsprograms.com/vt-subsidies

3. Funding Sources

- Bank of America Community Investment Fund: As a major Charlotte employer, Bank of America has committed $1.7 million to the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative. Maginnis will secure $5 million annually for childcare subsidies and provider training, leveraging their focus on economic mobility.
- Truist Financial Foundation: Truist, headquartered in Charlotte, supports education and economic development. Maginnis will negotiate $3 million annually to fund Charlotte 3-K and workforce training, building on their existing philanthropy.
- Local Property Tax Reallocation: Charlotte’s 2023 General Fund allocated only 2.8% ($21.6 million) to Housing and Neighborhood Services. Maginnis will redirect $10 million annually to childcare, prioritizing affordability over lower-priority expenditures like street lighting ($9.8 million).
- Federal CCDBG Funds: North Carolina receives $300 million annually in CCDBG funds. Maginnis will advocate for a $15 million increase for Charlotte, aligning with bipartisan support for childcare investment (85% of voters support CCDBG expansion).
How We’ll Fund Affordable Childcare in Charlotte

4. Partner Organizations (Not Currently Utilized in Charlotte)

- First Five Years Fund (FFYF): FFYF’s expertise in securing federal childcare funding will help Charlotte maximize CCDBG grants and design effective subsidy programs. Their bipartisan polling shows 89% voter support for childcare plans, strengthening advocacy efforts. https://www.ffyf.org/2024/05/16/new-polling-on-child-care-and-the-2024-election/
- Opportunity Insights: This Harvard-based group’s Charlotte Opportunity Initiative identified low mobility in neighborhoods like Grier Heights. Maginnis will use their data to target childcare investments, ensuring equitable access.(https://opportunityinsights.org/charlotte/)
- Child Care Aware of America: This organization can provide training and certification for Charlotte’s childcare workforce, addressing shortages and improving quality. Their programs have increased retention by 30% in other cities. https://www.childcareaware.org/
- Charlotte Regional Business Alliance: Engaging local businesses to join the Tri-Share program will leverage their interest in workforce retention, as seen in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Child Care Innovation Summit. https://www.ffyf.org/policy-priorities/45f/

5. Benefits for Low-Income and Middle-Class Households

- Low-Income Households (Below 100% FPL):

- Free Charlotte 3-K and MECK Pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds, saving families $10,000–$15,000 annually.
- Fully subsidized after-school and summer programs in high-need areas, reducing parental stress and youth crime.
- Access to Tri-Share for low-income workers at participating employers, eliminating out-of-pocket costs.

- Middle-Class Households (100–575% FPL):

- Sliding-scale subsidies capping childcare costs at 7% of income, saving families earning $50,000–$100,000 up to $5,000 annually.
- Tri-Share participation reduces costs by 66%, making center-based care affordable (average cost: $12,000/year).
- Extended-hour programs for non-traditional work schedules, inspired by NYC’s model, support middle-class parents in retail and healthcare. https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/668-24/mayor-adams-city-council-historic-10-point-plan-make-high-quality-child-care-more#/0

- All Households:

- 1,500 new 3-K and Pre-K seats address childcare deserts, particularly in the “crescent” neighborhoods. https://opportunityinsights.org/charlotte/
- Workforce training ensures high-quality care, benefiting all children’s development.

Implementation Timeline

- Year 1 (2026): Launch Charlotte 3-K pilot (500 seats), initiate Tri-Share with 10 employers, and secure $23 million in funding (Bank of America, Truist, CCDBG, local taxes). Partner with FFYF and Opportunity Insights to design programs.
- Year 2 (2027): Expand 3-K to 1,000 seats, add 1,000 MECK Pre-K seats, and scale Tri-Share to 20 employers. Integrate childcare into Alternatives to Violence.
- Year 3 (2028): Fully implement subsidy expansion to 575% FPL, train 500 childcare workers with Child Care Aware, and evaluate program impact with Opportunity Insights.

Expected Outcomes

- Economic Impact: Increase parental workforce participation by 10%, adding $500 million to Charlotte’s economy annually, as seen in states with robust childcare investment.(https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/newsroom/williamsport-proposal-to-expand-pennsylvania-s-child-care-workfo.html)
- Child Development: Improve kindergarten readiness by 25% for low-income children, closing achievement gaps.(https://opportunityinsights.org/charlotte/)
- Family Savings: Save low-income families $10,000–$15,000 and middle-class families $3,000–$5,000 annually per child.
- Equity: Reduce disparities in childcare access in low-mobility neighborhoods, aligning with the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative.(https://www.equityclt.org/)

Critical Analysis

While Mayor Lyles has focused on economic growth and equity (e.g., $250 million Racial Equity Initiative), her administration has not prioritized childcare affordability, with only 2.8% of the 2023 budget allocated to neighborhood services.

Maginnis’ plan leverages Charlotte’s corporate presence (Bank of America, Truist) and federal opportunities (CCDBG) to fill this gap, addressing voter demand (89% want childcare plans) and bipartisan support for childcare investment.

Unlike Lyles’ broader equity focus, Maginnis’ targeted childcare plan directly addresses family budgets and workforce needs, offering a practical, data-driven alternative.

Conclusion

This plan positions Brendan K. Maginnis as a forward-thinking candidate who builds on Charlotte’s successes, introduces proven innovations, and prioritizes affordability for all families, challenging Mayor Lyles’ record with a bold, actionable vision.