Preschool briefing: Davie County Schools warns of shrinking child-care slots, explores new classroom space

At the February 2026 board meeting Davie County Schools staff briefed trustees on the district's preschool operations and countywide childcare capacity.

Mackenzie Ratlidge presented enrollment and capacity figures: the district operates 16 classrooms on seven campuses with a physical capacity of 258 and current enrollment of 247 (96%); she said the private-pay wait list includes 103 children ages 2—4. Ratlidge noted the district administers 157 NC Pre-K slots from the state and currently uses 121; that allotment is expected to rise to 139 next year after a private center closes.

Why it matters: Ratlidge warned that two major childcare centers in Davie County have closed in the past 18 months and that a second planned closure will reduce private childcare slots further. She said losing subcontracted NC Pre-K slots would require returning state funding and would also reduce administrative funding tied to those slots. The presentation framed preschool capacity as a community and workforce issue: Dr. Belcher and staff said the availability of childcare affects family choices about where to live and where children attend school.

Program details and next steps: The district provides a mix of funding sources (private tuition, EC/exceptional-child services and NC Pre-K), special services for children with disabilities, and higher staff-child ratios in developmental classrooms. Ratlidge said district staff are exploring additional classroom space in the Kollume/Koolamee area (as presented) to retain subcontracted NC Pre-K slots and to serve children who might otherwise be without licensed care.

The item was presented for information; no board action was required.