The video captures a community event celebrating 30 years of the Smart Start early‑childhood initiative in Mecklenburg County, launched in 1993 by Governor Jim Hunt. Multiple speakers—including program leaders, educators, parents, and community partners—highlight the program’s growth, its role as a hub connecting families, schools, and service providers, and the importance of early literacy research that shows children exposed to language and reading before school are more likely to succeed. The discussion showcases Charlotte Bilingual’s multicultural, bilingual environment, emphasizes the urgent need to address the regional childcare crisis through expanded pre‑K access, and conveys a hopeful, enthusiastic commitment from stakeholders to continue expanding services so every child can benefit. The tone is celebratory, persuasive, and community‑focused, with repeated affirmations of impact and pride.
Chapters
Children are the seed of the world. They are our future generation. They are our future leaders. So we have to invest in them.
Everybody say dog.
Dog.
It is incredible to think about it. In 1993, then-Governor Jim Hunt launched this incredible early childhood initiative, and here we are 30 years later in Mecklenburg County leading the way for early childhood.
4!
4! Good job!
Research has shown us that children that are exposed to literacy and language building prior to starting school are more successful and more likely to become successful readers.
This is about children.
This is about families.
I have a bed in my head! Perfect.
Come into the center if you're having a bad day. As soon as you walk through the threshold of one of these classrooms, that'll change your whole perspective.
H.
H?
He said it's an H. What do y'all think?
Is he correct?
The number of people and the number of partners that have been our partner throughout 30 years is just incredible.
Oh, is this only I know?
Yes, okay.
One of the big things here that's different at Charlotte Bilingual is, is that there are There's so many different countries represented here at the school. Smart Start has a huge investment in wanting to see all of the same things that we want for our children and even more, and not just that, for children and families.
For Mecklenburg County, investing in pre-K for us was really a no-brainer, and Smart Start has been the organization that has really run the program, has really helped us develop the program, has really helped us grow the program.
1, 2, 3, go!
Smart Start is absolutely critical. They are the hub for connecting all of us.
This is my Y.
Just because we've been around for 30 years is not a guarantee that we'll be around for 30 years in the future.
Creepin' crawlin' right up to your chin, chin, chin.
Childcare is in a crisis. We have to put all efforts every single day into building a high-quality system of early care and education. And that takes, that takes everybody.
We miss you and we love to have you back.
I would love to just continue to see us expand. I really have this mentality that every child that wants to be a part of Smart Start should be able to be a part of that program. We have lots of work to do. Oh my gosh, yes we do.
But I'm hopeful.
I love what I do. I feel proud to know that I'm bringing that education to other parents to engage with their children in their daily lives.
We are absolutely making a difference. There's no doubt in my mind we're making a difference.
Now I know my ABCs. Next time we're shooting with me! Good job!
