BOSTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — From the Department of Early Education and Care: “The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $4.3 million in grants to 225 family child care programs across Massachusetts through the second round of the Family Child Care Capital Grant Program. The program provides grants of up to $25,000 for facility improvements that enhance health and safety, improve accessibility, expand program capacity, and strengthen learning environments for children. 

“Family child care providers run small businesses that thousands of families depend on every day,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We created this program to help providers invest in their businesses, serve more families and continue providing high-quality care in communities across Massachusetts. It’s part of our work to make sure every family can find affordable, high-quality child care where and when they need it.”

“Every child deserves a safe, welcoming place to learn and grow,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These grants will help family child care providers make important improvements to their programs – from safer play spaces and new equipment to better heating and cooling – that make a real difference for children and families.”

This second round builds on the program’s inaugural awards announced last year, when the Healey-Driscoll Administration provided $2.7 million to more than 150 family child care providers. With today’s awards, the Administration has invested approximately $7 million in nearly 400 family child care programs through the state’s first dedicated capital grant program for licensed family child care providers.

“Children learn best in environments where they feel safe, supported, and ready to explore,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “These grants will help family child care providers create high-quality learning environments that support children’s development from the very start. By investing in these spaces, we’re giving more young learners the strong foundation they need for success in school and beyond.”

“Family child care providers are small business owners who play a vital role in supporting children, families, and Massachusetts’ economy,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “These grants will help providers improve their programs, increase capacity, and create safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate spaces where children can learn and grow.”

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.

“Family child care programs are small businesses, most often owned by women,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “These resources help providers across Massachusetts make meaningful capital investments in their home-based programs. We are proud to partner with the Department of Early Education and Care to support improved learning environments for children and stronger, more resilient family child care programs that families and communities across Massachusetts rely on.”

“Investing in early education delivers one of the greatest returns on investment we can make”, said Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “It strengthens our workforce, empowers working parents, and gives children the strong foundation they need to thrive.”

Among the funded projects are:

• A Nantucket family child care program will replace aging outdoor fencing to create a safer, fully enclosed play space for children, including infants and children receiving Early Intervention services. 
• A Methuen family child care program will install a new high-efficiency heat pump system, replacing an outdated 27-year-old heating and cooling system to improve comfort and energy efficiency. 
• A Billerica family child care program will upgrade its outdoor playground with new equipment and safety features that support physical, social, and sensory development while enhancing accessibility for children with special needs.  
• A Leverett family child care program will replace its aging roof, preserving the facility and paving the way for future energy-efficiency improvements that will help sustain the program. 

View the complete list of grant recipients, including communities served and award amounts.

The Family Child Care Capital Grant Program is one example of Governor Healey’s commitment to improving child care access and affordability. The Governor’s Inter-Agency Early Education and Child Care Task Force is working across state government to strengthen the Commonwealth’s early education and care system. In addition to investing in capital projects for family child care providers, the Administration is expanding registered apprenticeship opportunities for early educators, supporting employer-led child care partnerships, and advancing other initiatives that help providers grow, strengthen the workforce, and expand access to high-quality early education and care for families across Massachusetts. “