Wake County Smart Start

📢 We're hiring! Wake County Smart Start is looking for a Public Awareness & Communications Manager to join the team. If you're passionate about early childhood and community impact, we want to hear from you! 📍 Apply on our website or on Indeed: http://bit.ly/4nTIiNS #JobOpening #CommunicationsJobs #WakeCounty #SmartStart #NonprofitCareers

Want to make a difference in your community? Join us as a volunteer at the Wake County Smart Start Block Party! 💛 📅 Saturday, May 17 | 🕙 10AM–2:30PM | 📍 Roberts Park, Raleigh Help us bring joy and resources to families with young children while supporting early education in Wake County! Whether greeting guests, assisting with activities, or helping behind the scenes, you’ll be part of something meaningful. Sign up today to lend a hand: https://bit.ly/4jTLiHP Questions? Contact Caroline at cjanes@wakesmartstart.org #WakeSmartStart #WCSSBlockParty #PNC #PNCPartner #VolunteerOpportunity #CommunityEvent #BuildingBrighterFutures

We end our series for #NationalNutritionMonth with Tamiko McCullough, Healthy Initiative Coordinator at Wake County Smart Start, where she helps students learn about the power and wonder of food. In this blog, learn the ways she sees a connection between food, sustenance, creativity, and culture. Read the blog here: https://bit.ly/42bxf9X #NoOneGoesHungry

As March comes to a close, we’re proud to spotlight our fantastic Social Workers at Wake County Smart Start for #SocialWorkMonth. 💙 Vanessa, Caroline, and Kimberley go above and beyond every day, working tirelessly for those in need, creating change, and supporting families in finding the resources to empower and advocate for their children. 👶🤝 Their dedication shows that social work is not just a profession—it is a calling. 🙌✨ 🔍 Did you know that there are over 700,000 social workers in the United States alone? 🇺🇸 Thank you to all who dedicate their careers to this service of others! Wake County Smart Start is lucky to have three of the best in the business. 🌟 #WakeSmartStart #CompassionPlusAction #SWMonth2025 #SocialWorkHeroes 

🎉🎈 ¡RESERVA LA FECHA! 🎈🎉 Acompáñanos el 17 de mayo de 2025 de 10:00 a.m. a 2:30 p.m. para la Segunda Fiesta del Barrio de Wake County Smart Start en Roberts Park! 🏡🎉 El tema de este año se centra en el corazón de nuestra comunidad: ¡la paternidad! Marca tu calendario para un día lleno de diversión, recursos locales y actividades familiares, todo enfocado en la primera infancia y el apoyo a las familias. Ya sea que busques herramientas educativas o simplemente pasar un buen rato con la familia, ¡te tenemos cubierto! 🌱👶👩👧👧 ¿Buscas un horario amigable para los sentidos para los más pequeños? La Fiesta de la Comunidad WCSS tendrá una hora sensorial desde las 10:00 a.m. hasta las 11:30 a.m. ¡Trae a toda la familia y construyamos juntos futuros más brillantes para nuestros pequeños! 💙 🔗 Se recomienda la preinscripción. Visita nuestro sitio web para registrarte y obtener más información. #WakeSmartStart #PNC #WCSSBlockParty #PNCPartner #EventosEducaciónTemprana #ConstruyendoFuturosBrillantes #EventosFamiliaresWakeCounty #FiestadelBarrio #FeriaDeRecursos

🎉🎈 SAVE THE DATE! 🎈🎉 Join us on May 17, 2025 from 10am-2:30pm for the Second Annual Wake County Smart Start Block Party at Roberts Park! 🏡🎉 This year’s event theme focuses on the heart of our community—Parenthood! Mark your calendar for a day packed with fun, local resources, and family-friendly activities all focused on early childhood and family support. Whether you're looking for educational tools or just a great time with the family, we've got you covered! 🌱👶👨👧👦 Looking for sensory-friendly time for your littles? The WCSS Block Party will host a sensory-friendly hour from 10am-11:30am. Bring the whole crew and let’s build brighter futures for our little ones—together! 💙 🔗 Pre-Registration is encouraged. Visit our website to register and learn more! #WakeSmartStart #PNC #WCSSBlockParty #PNCPartner #EarlyEducationEvents #BuildingBrighterFutures #WakeCountyFamilyEvents #BlockParty #ResourceFair

🍴 March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme is “Food Connects Us.” 🌱✨ Join us every Tuesday this month for Tasty Tuesdays as we explore delicious and nutritious meals that bring us together! Whether you're experimenting with new recipes or learning more about healthy choices, we're here to make eating well fun and easy. Here are some tips to help you celebrate healthy eating: 🍎 Variety: Include fruits, veggies, whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats. 🍞 Limit Processed Foods: Choose fresh, whole foods over processed snacks. 👩🍳 Make Meals Fun: Get the kids involved in meal prep and serve colorful dishes! 📅 Plan Ahead: Prepare meals and snacks in advance. 🥜 Keep Healthy Snacks: Stock up on yogurt, fruit, and nuts. 🍽️ Serve Smaller Meals: Offer smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. 🥤 Limit Sugary Drinks: Opt for water, milk, or natural fruit juices. 🍽️ Set an Example: Show enthusiasm for healthy eating to inspire others. 🌾 Choose Whole Grains: Swap refined grains for whole grains like brown rice and oats. 🍓 Healthy Desserts: Try fruit salads or yogurt with berries as a sweet treat! Let’s celebrate the connections food creates! 🌍 #NationalNutritionMonth #WakeSmartStart #HealthyEating #TastyTuesdays

Last week, our Executive Director Gayle Headen was honored to speak on behalf of Wake County Smart Start at Congresswoman Deborah Ross' press briefing about the proposed federal funding freeze and its potential impact on early education. She was joined at the podium by a group of dedicated state officials and community leaders, including Attorney General Jeff Jackson, Wake County Commissioner Don Mial, Wake County school board chair J. Christopher Heagarty, David Heinen, NC Center for Nonprofits, and CEO Advance Community Health, Scot McCray. WCSS is proud to have been part of this event and to stand alongside those who are advocating for the well-being of our community and all North Carolinians. Thank you to everyone who spoke out! #wakesmartstart #earlychildhoodeducationmatters

📚✨ Early childhood literacy is the foundation for a lifetime of learning! ✨📚 At Wake County Smart Start, we're passionate about giving every child the tools they need to succeed, starting with the power of reading. Together, we can ensure all Wake County children have access to the resources they need to develop strong literacy skills—no matter their background. 🔗 Looking for resources? Visit our website to learn more! Join us in building a brighter future, one page at a time! 💡📖

Beginning Friday, January 31st at 5pm, The Smart Start Network, including Wake County, will no longer be accepting NEW registrations for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as we have reached our state-funded capacity. All children already registered in the program and those enrolled by 5pm on January 31st will receive books until their 5th birthday. 🔗 Check our website or social media for the latest status of state-funded Imagination Library registrations in North Carolina, as well as Family and Early Literacy Resources.