Buncombe Partnership for Children is on a mission to strengthen the capacity of educators, families, and the community to build a strong foundation for children’s learning and development beginning at birth.

The majority of brain development happens during the first 2,000 days—the time between birth and kindergarten–forming the foundation for all future learning. This is why we invest in children from ages birth to 5 years old and their families, caretakers, and educators by partnering with local organizations to:

• improve the quality of early childhood education;
• increase access to affordable, high quality early care;
• expand early literacy opportunities;
• encourage healthy eating, physical activity, and outdoor play;
• provide family support.

We value lifelong learning and believe that each child’s first 2,000 days are crucial. Our vision is that every child in our community will reach their fullest potential and be prepared for lifelong success.

We recently finished our 2021-2024 Strategic Plan. Please click through to see our goals and vision for the upcoming years.

Because today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, parents, and workforce, everyone has a stake in making sure that all of Buncombe County’s children have what they need to thrive.

We are a member of the Smart Start Network, which was created in 1993 as an innovative solution to a problem: children were coming to school unprepared to learn. Policymakers recognized that progress would require tapping into the same innovative spirit that inspires private sector advances and established Smart Start as a public/private partnership. Independent, private organizations work in all 100 counties in the state through the North Carolina Partnership for Children and 75 local partnerships, including Buncombe Partnership for Children. The power of Smart Start is that it delivers outcomes by giving communities local control to determine the best approach to achieving them.

Buncombe Partnership for Children is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit (EIN 56-1942178). To improve your understanding of the organizations that serve the causes you care about, including Buncombe Partnership for Children, please visit GuideStar, the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations.