Early education programs get financial boost from state

The state has awarded $7.5 million in Early Education and Out of School Time Capital Fund (EEOST) capital improvement grants to thirty-six organizations across the state to renovate childcare facilities that serve primarily low-income families.

The Baker-Polito Administration and the Children’s Investment Fund (CIF), with its affiliate the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) is providing grants to child care centers and out-of-school time programs range from $100,000-$250,000. This year the emphasis shifted to provide capital funding needed to address health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, including major renovation and construction projects at facilities.

“Our Administration is pleased to support childcare providers across the Commonwealth who have worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to care for children and support families returning to work,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “Since the start of this grant program, we’ve invested more than $39.2 million in capital funding at childcare programs that impact the learning experiences of more than 9,000 children in communities across Massachusetts.”

The Early Education and Out of School Time capital improvement grants are financed through the state’s capital budget and provide matching funds that leverage private investment. The Baker-Polito Administration’s FY21 Capital Budget Plan included funding for the Early Education and Out of School Time capital improvement grant program.

The following organizations received grants:

Project Location Applicant Funding
Beverly Beverly Children’s Learning Center $207,000
Boston Kwong Kow Chinese School $146,000
Boston United South End Settlements $250,000
Brockton Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro South $177,000
Brockton Fuller Arts & Sciences dba Westfield Child Center $115,000
Brockton Brockton Day Nursery $131,000
Brockton Old Colony YMCA $247,000
Dorchester Catholic Charities Yawkey Child Care Center $179,000
Dorchester Greenwood Shalom Outreach Community, Inc. $250,000
Dudley Boys and Girls Club of Webster-Dudley $204,000
East Boston East Boston Social Centers $227,000
Framingham SMOC $250,000
Gloucester Pathways for Children $250,000
Haverhill YMCA of the North Shore (Haverhill YMCA) $242,000
Holyoke Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke $250,000
Holyoke Holyoke YMCA $200,000
Lawrence Community Day Care Center of Lawrence, Inc. (d.b.a. The Community Group) $102,000
Lawrence YWCA of Northeastern Massachusetts $243,000
Lynn YMCA of Metro North $186,000
Lynn Boys and Girls Club of Lynn $250,000
Nantucket Small Friends on Nantucket $129,000
New Bedford PACE $250,000
New Bedford YMCA Southcoast $250,000
New Bedford West End Day Nursery $250,000
North Adams Child Care of the Berkshires $207,000
Revere For Kids Only Afterschool $247,000
Roxbury Hattie B. Cooper Community Center $250,000
Roxbury Paige Academy $250,000
Roxbury YMCA of Greater Boston $221,000
Somerville Elizabeth Peabody House Association $205,000
Springfield Springfield Day Nursery (d.b.a Square One) $157,000
Stoneham Boys and Girls Clubs of Stoneham and Wakefield $225,000
Waltham Waltham Boys and Girls Club $105,000
West Springfield West Springfield Boys and Girls Club $250,000
Whitinsville George Marston Whitin Memorial Community Association (d.b.a. The Whitin Community Center) $250,000
Worcester YWCA of Central Massachusetts $142,000

SourceWWLP.com