Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $8.5 Million for Early Education and Child Care Program Renovations

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that 20 organizations across Massachusetts are being awarded $8.5 million in Early Education and Out-of-School Time (EEOST) capital funding grants to renovate early education and “out-of-school” time facilities that serve primarily low-income families. These capital grants support major renovations and construction projects to expand capacity and improve the quality of learning environments for children, ensuring they have safe and developmentally appropriate spaces to learn and play. These grants will improve program facilities, add classrooms, and in many cases expand the number of children served by increasing the number of state-subsidized child care spots across Massachusetts. 

“Our administration is proud to provide this support to our incredible Early Education and Care and Out-of-School Time providers to help ensure that our kids can learn and play in modern facilities. This program will improve and expand child care offerings for low-income parents, which will help families struggling with the high cost of living make ends meet and ensure their kids can get a high-quality education,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These grants are a critical step in our efforts to make early education and care more affordable, accessible and equitable across the state, which is why we increased funding for this program by $4 million per year for the next four years.”  

“Our Administration is committed to strengthening local early education and care infrastructure that supports the economic stability of families and sustains businesses and educators,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “With the high cost of child care, more families are struggling, making it imperative that we ensure early education and care programs are given the resources they need to invest in our youngest learners so that regardless of zip code or economic background, children can access the high-quality education they need to succeed in school and life.” 

The EEOST grants are financed through the state's capital budget and leverage private investments with matching funds. They are administered by the Department of Early Education and Care (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 4 years. The application for FY24 funding will be available soon.

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to advancing affordability and equity in education. This critical grant funding will support child care centers and community organizations that provide accessible, safe, and inclusive spaces for children of all backgrounds and abilities,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “By infusing funds into our local communities to renovate, repair, and expand child care facilities, we are making Massachusetts a better place to live, go to school, work, raise a family, and build a better future.” 

“We know that the spaces that kids, families, and our educators spend time in can facilitate or inhibit learning. This funding will help children to learn, play, and grow in high-quality and dynamic learning environments, supporting families to go to or return to work and engage in education and training,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. 

“Grants from the EEOST Capital Fund are vital to the early education sector. This funding will allow twenty sites to implement improvements such as cleaner air for children and staff, installing new windows, adding handwashing sinks and bathrooms to classrooms, and improving outdoor play environments. We are grateful for the Commonwealth’s investment in our youngest learners,” said Children’s Investment Fund Director Theresa Jordan. 

The EEOST grants provide between $200,000 and $500,000 to each early education and out-of-school time program to offset expenses incurred January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024 that address health and safety, emergency repairs, and accessibility modifications. Examples of what these funds can be used include, but are not limited to, modifications to improve indoor air quality, emergency repairs such as roof replacement or upgrading electrical or security systems, and physical environment modifications addressing accessibility or other improvements to support inclusion of children and adults with disabilities. Examples of former EEOST grant-funded projects: 

The YMCA of Cape Cod used $1 million in EEOST Capital Funds to build a new center by renovating space at the Hyannis Village Marketplace. Their beautiful new center expands to five new classrooms with bathrooms attached, a large gross motor skills room, and a natural landscaped outdoor space. Pictured: Commissioner Kershaw cutting the ribbon at the Cape Cod YMCA building unveiling event in September 2023. 

The YMCA of the North Shore used $500,000 in EEOST grant funding for renovations to it’s preschool program in Beverly. The improvements include classroom upgrades, new outdoor play space equipment, fencing, and landscaping, entrance and lobby reconfiguration, and an upgraded electrical system with keycard access system to improve security. Pictured: Commissioner Kershaw cutting the ribbon in front of the newly renovated Beverly YMCA center in September 2023.

Winthrop’s For Kids Only Afterschool program used $222,000 in EEOST grant funds to build a brand new outdoor nature classroom that includes instructional areas, gardens, sensory paths, climbing and active play spaces, water recollection system, and a musical Exploratorium. Pictured: Commissioner Kershaw at the grand opening of the For Kids Only Afterschool outdoor nature classroom in Winthrop in August of 2023. 

These 20 organizations are receiving FY23 EEOST grant funds:  

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