Enacts new Article 6D in GS Chapter 115C, creating an Office of Early Childhood Education (Office), to be located in, but acting independently of, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Specifies Office staffing and requires that the Superintendent of Public Instruction appoint the chief academic officer. Sets out provisions concerning staff salaries. Give the Office the power to (1) develop and implement a plan for a coordinated system of early care, education, and child development services with a focus on program outcomes in satisfying the health, safety, developmental, and educational needs of all children from birth to eight years, that includes specified components; (2) implement a statewide longitudinal evaluation of the educational progress of children from prekindergarten programs through grade three; and (3) collaborate with DPI, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and other relevant agencies to achieve the goal of a coordinated system of early care, education, and child development services for children from birth to eight years of age. Requires the Office to report quarterly to the Governor, State Board of Education, Superintendent, and the Secretary of DHHS on progress and implementation of any of the Office's duties and responsibilities.

Amends GS 126-5(c1) by adding the chief academic officer of the Office to the list of those individuals exempt from GS Chapter 126, the North Carolina Human Resources Act.

Requires that the Office study the governance of State government‑wide management and provision of services for early childhood education and development and the role of a centralized agency or office that would be responsible for early childhood‑related issues. Requires that the Office make recommendations to the General Assembly on alternative organizational structures to achieve greater efficiency and effective delivery of early childhood services. Specifies 11 items that must be considered in the study, including the coordination of home visitation services across programs for young children, the coordination of a comprehensive statewide system of professional development for providers and staff of early care and education and child development programs and services, and integration of early childhood care and education and special education services. Requires the Office to report by March 15, 2018, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on the results of the study, including its recommendations and any proposed legislation, and progress on the development and implementation of a plan for a coordinated system of early care, education, and child development services and any other activities under new GS 115C‑64.26.

Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to appoint a chief academic officer of the Office within 60 days of the date this act becomes law.

Requires that the Office submit its initial quarterly report to the Governor, the State Board of Education, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services by May 15, 2018.

Specifies that the act becomes effective July 1, 2017, only if funds are appropriated in a Current Operations Appropriations Act for the 2017‑18 fiscal year to implement the provisions of this act.