Education Week recently reported on a significant new early childhood funding stream in Massachusetts:
"The Massachusetts legislature recently passed a housing bond bill that includes funding for renovating child-care facilities around the state. The bill, signed by Governor Deval Patrick, a Democrat, on November 14, is a $1.4 billion package that includes $45 million in bond financing that would be used for capital improvements to daycare centers and after-school facilities serving children from low-income families.... In Massachusetts and around the country, many early childhood providers that focus on at-risk children have to make do with buildings that were not intended for the unique needs of young children. Many of those facilities lack adequate outdoor space, recommended safety measures, or accessibility for children or employees with disabilities.
"The Children's Investment Fund, based in Boston, works statewide to provide grants, loans, and technical assistance to early childhood care providers and supported the measure. The organization released a study in 2011 that outlined some of the deficiencies of child care facilities around the state. 'This is the first time that facilities' financing for these service providers is part of community development legislation,' said Mav Pardee, the program manager of Children's Investment Fund. 'It recognizes the vital role that education plays in children's lives and is an investment in improving education quality, beginning early, when it is most effective.'"
Not Just Small Change is a fundraising guide written specifically for early childhood programs by a veteran early childhood fundraiser, Roberta Bergman.
Staying on Course is designed to support the success of the board members. It will help them stay on course and focus on the important work they do for young children and their families, and it will alert them to pitfalls and known dangers as they navigate the early childhood landscape.
Comments (2)
Displaying All 2 CommentsEHS NRC
Conifer, CO, United States
I believe this was developed for infants with severe motor disabilities and meant to be used after they developed a sense of cause and effect. I am dismayed if this being offered as a commercial product, developmentally inappropriate on so many levels.
OMEP-USA
Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Thanks for sharing this wonderful news. It isn't the first effort for an entity to support space for young children, but it is special and recognizes the simple fact that we cannot continue to provide services and programs for children in inadequate spaces. Architects are among early education and care's best friends. Read Norman Brosterman's "Inventing Kindergarten" for an architect's contribution to the influence of kindergarten on the world! Pass the word to other states and DC.
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