Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $2.7 Million in First-Ever Capital Grants to Family Child Care Providers

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $2.7 Million in First-Ever Capital Grants to Family Child Care Providers 

Over 150 child care small businesses receive funding to serve more children, improve safety and accessibility of program spaces 

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that they have awarded $2.7 million to more than 150 family child care programs across Massachusetts through their new Family Child Care Capital Grant Program. This inaugural round of funding aims to increase the capacity of licensed family child care programs, helping the state to serve more kids. It also improves the quality of care provided in the programs’ physical space, funding renovations, accessibility enhancements, repairs, and upgrades to meet health and safety standards and enhance learning spaces. 

The administration utilized early education and care capital funding from the Fiscal Year 2024 budget to establish the state’s first program dedicated to supporting family child care programs’ unique capital needs as small businesses. This program is helping to ensure families across the state have access to high-quality, safe, and inclusive child care environments within their communities and is part of Governor Healey’s Early Education and Child Care Task Force. 

“In Massachusetts, we believe every child deserves access to a safe, high-quality early education environment,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By unlocking these first-ever capital grants for family child care providers, we’re giving these essential educators the resources they need to expand and improve their spaces. This is a smart investment in our children, our workforce and our future.” 

“Strong family child care programs mean stronger communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.“These grants are about making sure local providers have the tools they need to offer safe, high-quality care that parents and caregivers can rely on, and is a powerful example of our continued support for Massachusetts families and small businesses.” 

Awardees receive between $500 and $25,000 to make physical space improvements that strengthen program quality and capacity. Awarded projects include indoor and outdoor infrastructure upgrades to improve space dedicated to programming, HVAC and energy efficiency improvements, emergency repairs, accessibility improvements, installing new program-dedicated equipment like washing machines and refrigerators and security equipment like cameras and access control systems.  

For a list of awardees, click here.  

“Early education isn’t just the start of schooling – it's the cornerstone of lifelong learning,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “These grants uplift our commitment to high-quality care for our youngest learners, and empower family child care providers to create environments where developmental growth, inclusion, and safety go hand in hand." 

“Child care is a cornerstone of a strong economy. Through the work of the Early Education and Child Care Task Force, we’re aligning economic development with early education to ensure our talented workforce has access to the care they need to thrive,” said Interim Economic Development Secretary Ashley Stolba. “These capital grants recognize family child care providers as vital small businesses — and by investing in their infrastructure, we’re strengthening our workforce and driving long-term economic growth across Massachusetts.” 

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and MassDevelopment will be opening a second round of grant funding in August 2025. This Family Child Care Capital Grant Program builds on existing capital grant opportunities available for center-based early education and care programs. The administration's FY24 - FY28 Capital Investment Plan increased grant funding for center-based programs by $4 million annually. 

“Investing in the physical environments of family child care is investing in the future of our youngest learners and their families,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “This funding recognizes that high-quality care happens in many different settings, and family child care educators are a vital part of our early education and care systems, as well as key to the local economies in the communities in which they live and work.” 

“Strengthening our state’s child care ecosystem benefits children, parents, and employers alike, making Massachusetts a more attractive place to raise a family and grow a business,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “MassDevelopment was proud to partner with the Department of Early Education and Care on this new program that is helping more than 150 family child care providers make capital investments to improve care and serve additional children.” 

More information about the Family Child Care Capital Grant Program and future funding opportunities is available at Mass.gov/EEC.