Child Care Grants Focus on Quality of Facilities

Through a grant provided by The Schenectady Foundation, non-profit child care centers and school-age programs can apply for funds to upgrade or renovate their classrooms, facilities or obtain equipment and supplies that improve the quality of care.

More than $80,000 will be available for facility improvement grants in 2006.

The program is managed by the Capital District Child Care Coordinating Council http://www.cdcccc.org, and is part of a 5 year, $750,000 grant focusing on child care quality. The goal of the grant program is to enhance and strengthen healthy social and emotional factors for children, families and child care program staff.

Grants are designed to:

1. Address the program's need for supplies and/or capital improvements related to social and emotional development of young children in accordance with the mission of the KINDNESS Project. The goal of the KINDNESS project is to focus on children's strengths to prevent challenging behavior and encourage the success of children in early care and education settings by supporting the environments in which they are cared for and the adults responsible for their well-being.
2. Support healthy social and emotional environments.
3. Address the program's need for social and emotional support for staff members employed in the early childhood setting.

Award amounts generally do not exceed $10,000. There is about $20,000 available for new grants in 2005, and an additional $80,000 will be granted in 2006.

Several grants have already been made that have brought about big changes in child care centers.

Carver Child Development Center ( www.schdycarvercc.org ) was awarded a grant of $9,055 for renovation of the toddler classroom bathroom, and the installation of a new toilet and changing area. The Center also received $14,000 to build a new playground. The grant matched in-kind funding from an organization called KABOOM. Finally, an additional $10,000 was provided for renovation of the gym floor.

The Jewish Community Center of Schenectady ( www.schenectadyjcc.org will be able to complete a new toddler playground thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Foundation.

Niskayuna Community Child Care Center was able to install a new playground system to promote gross motor development with a grant of $7,700.

St. Anthony's Early Childhood received $10,000 to install a fire safety system, and to continue serving 75 pre-school families. The system is required by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services, which licenses child care centers. Without the new system the Center would not have been permitted to continue operating.

The YWCA of Schenectady received a grant of $10,150 for construction of new playgrounds at their child care centers at Steinmetz Homes and at Yates Village. Another $14,000 was invested at the YWCA's centers for an infant care room, toddler climbing structure, and improved access to the Washington Avenue site. Previously The Schenectady Foundation had granted $20,000 for a new playground at the YWCA's center at its main location on Washington Avenue in Schenectady.

The Milestones II program received $790 for improvements to toddler changing tables and sinks.

The program is proof that sometimes relatively small grants can bring about big changes. For more information the Child Care Facility Improvement Grant program, contact Abbe Kovacik at the Child Development Resource Center (518) 388-0724 EXT. 323).