Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $2.7 Million in First-Ever Capital Grants for Family Child Care Programs

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $2.7 Million in First-Ever Capital Grants for Family Child Care Programs 

Second round of child care capital funding opening October 1

 

WORCESTER

 – Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw and MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal joined local officials, family child care educators, and community leaders at the Guild of Saint Agnes in Worcester yesterday to celebrate $2.7 million in capital grants awarded to more than 150 family child care providers. These grants were the first round of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s first-ever capital program for Family Child Care (FCC) programs, designed to enhance learning environments, expand child care capacity, and strengthen the infrastructure of early education and care at the community level.

The administration also announced yesterday that FCC programs will be able to apply for the second round of grant funding starting October 1 with $4 million available in total. Grants will range from $500 to $25,000 to support physical space improvements that enhance program quality and increase capacity. This includes indoor and outdoor upgrades, HVAC and energy efficiency improvements, emergency repairs, accessibility improvements, and installation of new program-dedicated equipment such as washing machines, refrigerators, security cameras and access control systems.

 

“We know that too many families are struggling to find local and affordable child care options,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That’s why we have been focused on providing capital opportunities that improve and expand care offerings for families. Our Family Child Care Capital Grant Program is already helping 150 small businesses, and this second round of funding will have a significant impact on reducing costs for families and ensuring kids get a high-quality early education."

 

“It was wonderful to be in Worcester to hear directly from Family Child Care educators on the impact our Family Child Care Capital Grant Program is having – such as installing fencing to enclose outdoor play areas, improving heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems, and making space modifications to improve accessibility for children with disabilities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I am grateful that we are able to provide family child care programs the financial resources they need to invest in our youngest learners and strengthen local early education infrastructure, promoting economic mobility for families and stimulating our economy.”

 

This grant program is administered through a partnership between the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, to support family child care programs’ capital needs. These efforts are also part of Governor Healey’s Early Education and Child Care Task Force, which is working to strengthen the early education and care sector and ensure equitable access to high-quality child care for families across Massachusetts.

 

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been focused on supporting the diverse early education and care mixed-delivery system. I am pleased to see the impact our Family Child Care Capital Grant Program is having, providing local businesses with the financial resources they need to provide modern, accessible, healthy and safe environments for kids and educators. Combined, we are investing nearly $7 million through this program to create the kinds of physical indoor and outdoor spaces our children deserve to learn and play in every day,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. 

 

Yesterday’s event featured a round table discussion moderated by Commissioner Kershaw with family child care educators Wendy Buzzell, Virginia Hamilton and Jessica Reyes, alongside partners from MassDevelopment. The discussion highlighted the importance of FCC programs as both small businesses and essential early learning settings for young children, as well as the impact that capital investments have in supporting high-quality, safe learning environments.

 

The three child care providers who participated in the round table were awarded approximately $73,000 to enhance accessibility, safety, and program space for the children and families they serve. Wendy Buzzell received $25,000 to install a half bathroom on the main floor of her child care program, an improvement that will increase accessibility and convenience for the children in her care. Virginia Hamilton received $24,900 to make improvements to the outdoor deck space. Jessica Reyes was awarded $23,230 to repair and improve the safety of her entryway and to construct an outdoor deck, creating a safe and engaging space for outdoor recreational activities otherwise unavailable to children during the day.

 

“Family child care providers are a critical part of our early education and care system, supporting economic mobility for families and economic development for communities,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “This capital grant program recognizes their essential role by giving them the tools to make meaningful improvements to their spaces. These investments help ensure that children can learn and thrive in safe, engaging environments while providers build long-term sustainability for their programs.”

 

“In addition to their role delivering high-quality early education, our family child care providers are small businesses and job creators, and this program is delivering valuable resources to help them improve care, expand their facilities, and increase enrollment,” said MassDevelopment President & CEO Navjeet Bal. “Child care is a critical piece of our economy, ensuring parents and guardians have the freedom and flexibility to participate in our workforce. MassDevelopment has been proud to partner with the Department of Early Education and Care to administer this program.”

 

“The grant announcement speaks to Governor Healey and Lt Governor Driscoll’s continued commitment to Massachusetts working families by assuring their children receive high quality early education services,” said Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty.

 

“These grants are a great way to support and increase the capacity of family child care providers to help serve more children and families across the state,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “The first-ever round of grants is already a success, and I’m excited that we are continuing this program to help more providers upgrade their facilities, enhance safety, and increase quality of care.”

 

"The new Family Child Care Capital Grant Program will not only expand access to early education and care, but it will also improve the quality of the spaces where our children learn and grow" said Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. 

 

“We are very excited for the Family Child Care educators who have been able to improve their programs because of this capital grant,” said Sharon F. MacDonald, President & CEO at the Guild of St. Agnes. “The Family Child Care model offers families an excellent option for early education for their children, and this funding will allow these small business owners, most of whom are women, the opportunity to better meet the needs of the children and families they serve.”

 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been focused on supporting family child providers through a variety of ways, in addition to this grant program. This includes expanding apprenticeship programs and establishing and funding three regional intermediaries to support workforce development pathways, including registered apprenticeships. The administration has also expanded universal preschool access in Gateway Cities, increasing partnerships between school districts and FCC programs. Further, the administration launched the Business Front Door, a modern, digital-focused platform designed to connect businesses with personalized guidance to navigate state funding opportunities and incentives. Through Governor Healey’s Inter-Agency Child Care Task Force, this innovative platform included thoughtful and targeted attention to the needs of child care businesses.

 

For more information about the Family Child Care Capital Grant Program and details on the second round of funding opening on October 1, visit mass.gov/EEC.