Healey-Driscoll Administration awards $4 million to expand early education/care programs in Fall River, New Bedford, Springfield, Lynn, Cambridge, Beverly

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that the Department of Early Education and Care has awarded $4 million for large scale capital projects at six center-based early education and care programs that serve low-income families. These grants are through Early Education and Out-of-School Time capital funding to acquire property or renovate a facility, expanding capacity and promoting quality learning environments for young children. The funding will improve program facilities, add classrooms, and aim to increase the number of state-subsidized childcare spots across Massachusetts, which will lower costs for families.

“We are focused on making early education and care more affordable, accessible and equitable across the state. 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 childcare programs and expand capacity,” said Governor Maura Healey.

“The Governor and I have had the privilege of traveling around the state and visiting some of our incredible childcare programs, where kids have access to innovative and high-quality outdoor and indoor spaces that spark curiosity and promote learning and exploration. 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,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.

This is the first time since the pandemic that larger size grants have been available and are a part of the administration’s strategy to increase child care capacity, as well as improve the quality of spaces for children and educators. The EEOST were created in 2013 and are financed through the state’s capital budget, leveraging private investments with matching funds. They are administered by EEC in partnership with the Children’s Investment Fund (CIF), an affiliate of the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC). The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s FY24 – FY28 Capital Investment Plan increased these grants by $4 million a year for 5 years. This large-scale grant opportunity builds off the $8.5 million awarded earlier this fall for smaller scale early education and care capital projects.

“We know that one of the ways to reduce childcare costs is to expand the number of seats available for kids. This critical capital funding will support childcare 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 childcare facilities, we are making Massachusetts a better place to live, go to school, work, raise a family, and build a better future.”

“Our goal is to increase affordability and expand access to high quality programming for all families in the Commonwealth. A critical tool in this work is providing capital opportunities for programs to create child focused spaces for children to learn and play and for their educators to work,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw.

“This program invests in high-quality, large-scale improvements to early childhood education facilities. We are thrilled to offer these grants of up to $1M for the first time since 2020,” said Theresa Jordan, Director of the Children’s Investment Fund.

Awardees were eligible to receive between $500,000 – $1,000,000 per project for major systems replacements, reconfiguration of classrooms, administrative and staff spaces, and to redesign and renovate outdoor space. Further, programs can make physical environment modifications to address accessibility or other improvements to support inclusion of children and adults with disabilities. For a program to be eligible, at least half of the children enrolled must receive a public subsidy, like child care financial assistance. Awardees:

People Inc. (Fall River) – $1,000,000 

People Inc purchased a 4 acre piece of land on Weaver Street in 2019, and since then has been working on plans to construct a new, purpose-built, high-quality early education center there. At 20,000 square feet, the new one story center will be larger, allowing PI to expand their program to serve 212 children (24 infants, 48 toddlers, and 140 preschoolers) in a state-of-the-art new center, with 8 infant/toddler classrooms and 7 preschool classrooms. The new site will be fully accessible, with new outdoor play spaces, a commercial kitchen, and in-classroom bathrooms. Construction began in June 2024 and completion is projected for September 2025. 

Leo Inc. (Lynn) – $500,000  

LEO is renovating its 29,400 square foot headquarters building to consolidate its existing child care programs, co-located with space for its administrative offices. The renovation will take place within LEO’s historic three-story building that spans a full block on Broad Street, one of Lynn’s primary commercial centers. The project entails gutting the interior of the building to the exterior walls, constructing an addition in the rear to provide an accessible entrance, creating a new layout within the building shell, and converting the existing parking area behind the building into two new playgrounds and parking. The new addition will allow for two ADA-compliant entrances and a fully accessible interior.   

Community Action Agency of Somerville (Cambridge) – $500,000 

As part of the second phase of construction, Community Action Agency of is redeveloping the building where the Head Start classrooms are located. The existing building will be demolished, and a new building built. The new Head Start space will include two preschool classrooms, two workstations for teachers, a flexible space, an administrative office, a conference room, laundry room, bathrooms, and circulation and storage space. The new space will be 1,000 square feet larger than its existing space. The courtyard abutting the facility will include a new fenced-in play area for the Head Start program. This second phase of construction is slated to start in early 2025, with an 18-month construction period. 

Harborlight and Pathways (Beverly) – $1,000,000 

The Lighthouse Center, started construction in October 2024, will include several early education classrooms on the first floor, to be fitted out and operated by Pathways for Children. Three classrooms are proposed for a total of 36 children: 20 preschoolers, 9 toddlers, and 7 infants. The center will also include other multi-purpose community rooms, a teaching kitchen, and outdoor gardens and sports courts.

North Star Learning Center (New Bedford) – $500,000 

NorthStar is constructing a 17,000 SF center and consolidating its licensed child care programs into one building with administrative and supportive offices. The project has been in the planning phases since 2017 and as of September 2023, is now in construction, anticipated to be completed by early November 2024. The new building will be sited on three contiguous vacant parcels located within a residential neighborhood in New Bedford’s South End.  Once completed, the new building will contain ten early education classrooms, a gross motor room, a resource center, teacher conference space, and administrative and teacher offices. There will be five infant/toddler classrooms and five preschool classrooms. The center will allow NS to double its early education capacity and center its administrative, programmatic and early education care in one facility. 

Square One (Springfield) – $500,000

With this project, SO is proposing to construct a 26,000 square foot building where they will operate ECE classrooms with outdoor experiential learning, and space for Square One’s other services, including workforce development, therapeutic intervention and family support services. Once the project is complete, SO will relocate one existing classroom operating out of a leased space nearby. This project replaces SO’s previous location on this site, which was destroyed in a 2011 tornado; they had since sold the property and are now acquiring it back from the interim owners. When completed, the project will have four preschool classrooms for 80 children. One classroom located near the entrance may be utilized for 24-hour care, including a full bathroom with shower for families to utilize for emergency drop-in care after hours. The building is directly across the street from MGM Grand Casino, which is open 24 hours a day.