Investing in child care facilities

Massachusetts is investing an “unprecedented” $18 million in improving early childhood facilities, everything from enhancing electrical systems and updating HVAC systems to making over classrooms and renovating playgrounds.

 â€œThe Healey-Driscoll Administration announced this bold investment in the Early Education and Out of School Time (EEOST) Capital Fund in its FY24 – FY28 Capital Plan, with $10.85M allocated for the upcoming FY24 grant round. This funding level is more than double the $4M that the EEOST Capital Fund has historically received each year,” CEDAC (the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation) explains on its website.

CEDAC works with the Children’s Investment Fund and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) to “award grants of up to one million dollars to EEC-licensed large group early education and out of school time programs.”

In total, there will be $14 million for Small Grants of $200,000 to $500,000; and $4 million for Large Grants of $500,000 to $1,000,000. 

And for the first time, $7.5 million in capital grants is available to for-profit centers through a state budget line item funded by Fair Share dollars.

The EEOST Capital Fund was first launched in 2013, and since then it has invested $51 million in 110 programs, positively impacting 13,000 children across the state.

Among the past recipients of the grant are South Shore Stars and VietAID. Both organizations used their grants for playground spaces.

All the programs that receive EEOST Capital Fund grant awards “serve publicly subsidized families who have demonstrated financial need and have secured additional funding to pay for a portion of their project costs.”

EEC is prioritizing “Projects that include security enhancements to prevent and respond to potential threats, such as active shooters and installation of security cameras and access control systems.” 

Testifying this month at a State House Hearing on behalf of the Housing Bond Bill, where EEOST funding is based, Amy O’Leary, Strategies for Children’s executive director, and president of the board of the Children’s Investment Fund, said:

“Over the last few years, the Massachusetts Legislature has made unprecedented investments in the child care sector, realizing that the early years are the building blocks for all other education and for economic development in our state.

“Thanks to the Legislature and the Administration, we are one of a few states investing state dollars in C3 stabilization funding to enable child care programs to stay open and financially viable for the families who need them.

“The EEOST Capital Fund is another crucial support that builds and sustains the physical infrastructure for childcare in the Commonwealth.”

O’Leary adds:

“By recognizing the role that early education and care facilities play in community development, we are supporting the future of children, strengthening families and building healthier communities.

“We have seen the incredible impact the EEOST grants have had on early childhood facilities, the children, the educators, the families and our communities.”