Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $14.1 Million for Child Care and Afterschool Program Capital Renovations
Funding improves program facilities, adds classrooms, and increases the number of child care spots, lowering costs for families
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that 28 organizations across Massachusetts are being awarded $14.1 million in capital funding to renovate center-based child care and before and after school program facilities. This investment supports renovation projects to expand capacity and improve the indoor and outdoor quality and accessibility of learning environments for children, ensuring they have safe, healthy, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate spaces to learn, play, and grow.
“Massachusetts remains focused on making early education and care more affordable, accessible and equitable across the state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Providing capital funding to programs is an essential part of that work, helping families struggling with the high cost of living make ends meet and ensuring their kids can get a high-quality education in modernized facilities. That’s why we increased funding for this program in our capital plan, and it is great to see that funding at work to build more child care programs and expand capacity.”
“The Governor and I have had the privilege of traveling around the state and visiting some of our incredible child care programs, where kids have access to innovative and high-quality outdoor and indoor spaces that spark curiosity and promote learning and exploration,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I am grateful that we are able to provide programs with the financial resources they need to invest in our youngest learners and strengthen local early education and care infrastructure.”
The capital opportunities are administered by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) in partnership with the Children’s Investment Fund (CIF), an affiliate of the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC). This funding is available through the administration's FY24 - FY28 Capital Investment Plan Early Education and Out-of-School Time (EEOST) fund and from the Early Education & Care Provider Capital Grant funding delivered in the fiscal year 2024 state budget. The Healey-Driscoll Administration, through their Capital Investment Plan for Fiscal Years 2026–2030, has more than doubled the EEOST grants, from $4 million a year to $11.4 million.
This funding helps offset the costs of critical capital improvements, including health and safety upgrades, emergency repairs, and accessibility modifications. Examples of eligible funding use include modifications to improve indoor air quality, roof replacements, upgrading electrical or security systems, and physical environment modifications addressing accessibility or other upgrades for classrooms, outdoor areas, and more.
“From Pittsfield to Chatham, this critical capital funding will support child care centers to build new, modern and accessible spaces to serve more kids of all abilities,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “By infusing funds into our local communities to renovate, repair, and expand child care facilities, we are making Massachusetts a better place to live, go to school, work, raise a family, and build a better future.”
“Investing in capital improvements is a key part of the Administration’s overall strategy to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care options for working families,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “By helping providers address essential facility needs, we are also ensuring that children, and their educators, have safe and enriching spaces to learn, play, and thrive.”
“This past year marks our most significant investment yet in early childhood education facilities, benefiting both nonprofit and for-profit providers serving children from low-income families. We’re thrilled to support improvements in health, safety, and overall program quality across 28 sites,” said Theresa Jordan, Director of the Children’s Investment Fund.
Since 2014, the state has provided $70 million for EEOST, while leveraging $320 million in additional public and private investment. This has supported 147 projects, 16,379 seats for students and added 1,706 new child care seats across programs.
"Every dollar we invest in childcare pays strong dividends for Massachusetts children, families, and providers," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "The Legislature prioritized this funding so providers can create spaces that are welcoming, safe, and sustainable for our state’s youngest learners. I look forward to seeing those renovations take shape in the months ahead, and I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for prioritizing these dollars."
“I have worked closely with the Healey-Driscoll administration and my legislative colleagues to ensure that our public-school students have all the resources necessary to excel and thrive in the classroom. Key to that goal having stimulating and safe places to learn and play in healthy and inclusive facilities. The $14 million in capital funding is a smart and targeted investment to renovate these recreational spaces to keep up with the changing landscape for employing the very best practices in the most advanced educational settings,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
“A critical component of expanding access to high-quality, affordable early education and child care is ensuring that centers have safe and appropriate facilities for their students,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “These grants will help upgrade child care and before/after school program facilities to expand capacity and improve quality of care.”
"This funding will help ensure that our children have access to high-quality learning environments,” said Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “It will also support our ongoing efforts to expand access to early education and care by keeping our facilities modern and well-equipped.”
Five awardees received large grants, between $500,000 and $1,000,000:
The funding supports the construction of two new playgrounds to complement a newly built Head Start and Early Head Start facility situated on 6.8 acres of land in Westfield. The new facility will serve up to 107 children through center-based programs and additional families through home-based services.
This funding supports the purchase and renovation of the former Aldrich School Building to include four out-of-school time classrooms with 25 slots each, with additional programmatic space.
This funding supports hazardous materials (HAZMAT) remediation and the replacement of approximately 275 windows in a 1900 historic school building currently occupied by PACE Head Start. The lead abatement will help mitigate health risks, while the new windows will enhance safety, environmental comfort, and energy efficiency throughout the facility.
This funding will help create a permanent home for Shattuck, which was displaced in 2017 from its long-term home at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital and has spent the past seven years in temporary, shared space at the First Baptist Church on Centre Street in Jamaica Plain. The new space at Brooke House will allow Shattuck to expand, adding a second toddler classroom and increasing total capacity from 46 to 55 toddlers and preschoolers.
This funding will help create an outdoor play space for its Out of School Time and Early Childhood Education programs on the rooftop of the fitness center. The project entails relocating components of the existing HVAC system and includes elevator upgrades and creating two egresses for the rooftop. The playground will include two restrooms -- one designed for younger children, and one for the school age program. The new play area will include a garden, gross motor track, basketball court and 10’ high fence.
33 awardees received small grants, between $200,000 and $500,000:
This funding supports improvements to two play spaces – one for toddlers and one for preschoolers. Improvements include to the heating, air conditioning, ventilation systems, and electrical systems, as well as a roof replacement.
This funding supports accessibility upgrades to their outdoor play space, including new playground structures and equipment, pour-in-place surfacing throughout, updated fencing, and a shaded picnic area.
This funding supports new fencing to the play area and add additional drains and top coat to the pavement, as well as a replacement of the original roof from 1955, to soundproof all classrooms and to purchase outdoor toys and structures to provide diverse options for outdoor play.
This funding supports replacing existing rundown playground with new and improved play area, which includes new equipment, surfacing, and fencing.
This funding supports a new sprinkler system, security enhancements, remodel of classrooms, staff and storage space and addition of insulation under the preschool floor. It also supports new drainage and relocation of the HVAC system.
This funding supports an important new center for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, including construction of an outdoor play space at the back of the building, to be a fenced area with poured-in-place rubber surfacing and three play structures.
This funding supports the outdoor play area redesign to feature a new play structure, surfacing, enhanced fencing, a garden space, a seating area, and improved lighting.
This funding supports the comprehensive redevelopment of a three-building complex, including major upgrades and space reconfigurations to enhance functionality. This includes HVAC, fire protection, plumbing, electrical work, elevator installation, and building envelope improvements.
This funding supports a wide range of existing building improvements, including HVAC repairs and updates, exterior masonry and building envelope updates, and upgrades to the fire alarm, electric, lighting and plumbing.
This funding supports the relocation of existing gross motor space and renovation of the space into three new classrooms. There will be two new infant classrooms and one preschool classroom after renovations, an increase of 14 infant spots and seven new preschool spots.
This funding supports a phased replacement of the HVAC system, including the installation of heat pump units and ventilators and replacement of rooftop unit and boiler, and upgrading the electrical service to support the new HVAC system.
This funding supports a second phase of an energy efficiency initiative, including installing 62 storefront window systems to enhance natural ventilation, regulate indoor temperatures, lower operational costs, and strengthen the organization's overall sustainability.
This funding will support improved access to the outdoor play area by installing an accessible footbridge from the second story of the building to directly connect with the outdoor play area. The replacement of the outdoor stairs connecting all access points from the building to the park will allow children and adults to access the park safely.
This funding supports the final phase of a three-phase roof replacement, and the renovation and rebuilding of the Center’s rooftop play area with a new nature-based rooftop play structure and updated shade structure. In addition, the project involves updating and replacement of the aging security system, including cameras and door access controls.
This supports natural playground improvements for seven preschool classrooms and two school age classrooms including installation of new playground surfacing, paths and equipment and fencing a new addition to the property of an open grassy space.
This funding will help convert the building to be entirely electric, including conversion of the existing gas-fired boiler system to energy-efficient wall mounted mini-splits and the addition of Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV) for fresh air.
This funding supports roof replacement, storm water management and HVAC updates as well as site work, life safety and accessibility updates. This includes reconfiguring the front drop-off and sidewalk areas with attention to safety, access, and accessibility, as well as the staff office space and laundry area.
This funding supports the construction of a substantial addition, renovations, and improvements to the existing Monomoy Youth and Family Center. This includes classroom reconfiguration and accessibility improvements, HVAC upgrades, electrical work, and building envelope improvements.
This funding supports classroom and common area upgrades with limited HVAC replacement. This includes upgrades to classrooms, bathrooms, common stairs, hallway and purchasing new furniture.
Program at Bridge St. in Fairhaven - $434,000
This funding will support security upgrades, including new door and door control devices, as well as interior and exterior cameras in the classrooms, entrances, exists, and common spaces. Further, it will fund solar lighting in the parking area to improve safety.
Program at Sconticut Neck Rd in Fairhaven - $447,000
This funding supports installation of new surfacing and equipment, new fencing, removal and full replacement of three HVAC roof-top units, replacement of the roof and gutter system, and installation of interior and exterior cameras.
Program at Rockdale Ave in New Bedford - $458,000
This funding supports the replacement of an 18-year-old outdoor playground to accommodate the needs of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, as well as the installation of new security cameras and access control systems.
Program at Church St in New Bedford - $443,000
This funding supports replacement of doors, windows, roof, and installation of a new security system, as well as helps to install new safety bollards around the parking lot to protect children, families, and staff.
