Press Release  Governor Healey Awards $5 Million to Expand and Improve Child Care and Afterschool Facilities

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey today announced $5 million in grants to six child care and afterschool programs across Massachusetts to expand facilities, create new classrooms and improve learning environments for children and educators. The funding will support major construction and renovation projects that help programs serve more families and provide children with safe, welcoming spaces to learn, play and grow.

The grants are awarded through the Department of Early Education and Care's (EEC) Early Education and Out-of-School Time (EEOST) Large Capital Grant program, which funds major facility improvements and expansion projects. Organizations can receive up to $1 million for projects including new construction, classroom expansions, building renovations and critical infrastructure upgrades.

“Every family in Massachusetts deserves access to affordable, high-quality child care, and we're working to make that a reality,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That means making sure child care programs have the space and resources they need to serve more families. These grants will help providers open new classrooms, improve their facilities and create better learning environments for kids. When we invest in child care, we're investing in our children, supporting working parents and strengthening our economy.”

“Child care is essential to our communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “ It gives children a strong start and helps parents go to work knowing their kids are in good hands.  These investments will help local providers take on major projects, expand their programs and create safe, welcoming spaces for more children and families. We're proud to support the child care programs that families and communities across Massachusetts depend on every day.”

This year's grants will support a range of projects, including the construction and expansion of child care facilities, new classrooms and program spaces, upgrades to heating and cooling systems, and improvements to accessibility, outdoor play areas and family service spaces. The investments will help providers address costly infrastructure needs, improve the quality of their facilities and expand opportunities for children and families.

“Investing in child care facilities is an important part of our work to expand access to high-quality early education and care across Massachusetts,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “These grants will help programs create new classrooms, modernize existing spaces, and address critical building needs that directly impact children, families, and educators. By supporting these major projects, we're helping providers build the capacity and infrastructure they need to serve their communities for years to come.”

The EEOST Large Capital Grants are funded through the state's capital budget and administered by EEC in partnership with the Children's Investment Fund (CIF), an affiliate of the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC). The program helps early education and afterschool providers undertake major projects that expand capacity and improve the quality and accessibility of their facilities.

“These transformational investments will enable providers to enhance the learning environments that are so essential to children’s growth and development,” said Theresa Jordan Director of the Children’s Investment Fund. “We are grateful for the Commonwealth’s commitment to strengthening the early education infrastructure and ensuring that families have access to high-quality care.”

FY26 Early Education and Out-of-School Time Large Capital Grant Awardees

• Children's Services of Roxbury Inc.:$1,000,000
• Nurtury, Inc.:$700,000
• Community Day Care of Lawrence Inc. (The Community Group) + LCW: $1,000,000
• United South End Settlements:$900,000
• Attleboro Norton YMCA:$1,000,000
• Community Action Agency of Somerville, Inc. + POAH:$400,000

 
“This $1 million investment in The Community Group and LCW will help strengthen early education and out-of-school time facilities in Lawrence, supporting safe, welcoming spaces where children can learn and thrive,” said Second Assistant Majority Leader Frank A. Moran (D – Lawrence). “Investing in these facilities supports working families and gives our youngest residents a strong foundation for lifelong success. I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commissioner Kershaw for always being strong supporters of the Merrimack Valley.”

Securing $1 million for early education and childcare facilities in Lawrence is a significant investment in our children, working families, and the future of our community,” said Senator Pavel Payano (D-Lawrence). “This funding will help create safer, stronger learning environments for our youngest residents while supporting the parents who rely on these essential services. I thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Department of Early Education and Care for recognizing the importance of investing in communities like Lawrence.” 

“Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) has been a vital tool in combating poverty in our community for decades,” said State Representative Christine Barber, House Chair, Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. “I am grateful that this funding will aid CAAS in its mission is to eliminate the root causes of economic injustice by providing families with high-quality early education programs and out-of-school resources.”

This investment builds on Governor Healey’s efforts to strengthen child care infrastructure across Massachusetts. Governor Healey has more than doubled annual funding for EEOST capital grants, from $4 million to $11.4 million, through its Fiscal Years 2026–2030 Capital Investment Plan. In November 2025, her administration awarded $14.1 million to 28 organizations to renovate child care and afterschool facilities, expand capacity, and improve accessibility and learning environments. More recently, the administration awarded $6.6 million through the EEOST Small Capital Grant program, for facility improvements and $4.3 million to 225 family child care providers to improve safety, accessibility and program capacity.

 Governor Healey is also making historic investments to expand child care access and lower costs for working families. Massachusetts has added more than 22,000 child care seats, while the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) program has helped more than 8,000 child care programs remain open. Her administration also invested $31.2 million this year in Child Care Financial Assistance to help more families afford care and get off child care waitlists. 

These investments are part of Governor Healey's continued commitment to making child care more affordable and accessible for families across Massachusetts.

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