Child Care - Why it Matters!
• Quality child care has a positive influence on children's development and school readiness by providing valuable educational and social experiences.
• Families rely on child care programs to provide safe, enriching care and education to their young children while they work or attend school. Child care can improve parents' job stability and overall economic security.
• Access to quality child care supports our ability to thrive as a community and maintain the stable workforce that local businesses need.
Did You Know?
In June 2023, the Vermont Legislature made history by passing the 2023 Child Care Bill (Act 76) into law with overwhelming support from across the political spectrum. This comprehensive child care bill is the first-of-its-kind for Vermont and the nation.
As a result of Act 76, more families now have access to child care financial assistance and increased state funding is supporting child care program expansion and new program development.
>> Learn more about Vermont’s New Child Care Law
Our Vision
We are committed to offering Quintown families the opportunity to join the workforce with confidence that their children will receive excellent care. Our vision includes leasing space to an existing licensed, high-quality, full-day, full-year child care program seeking to expand (or a new program pursuing licensing).
The childcare floor plan will be designed to serve up to 8 infants, 10 toddlers and 15 pre-school children. Minor design changes may be considered for different configurations. The repurposed space will be ideally suited for a center that embraces fusing early childhood and environmental education, with indoor and outdoor spaces that support children's lifelong connection with the natural world.
Once the childcare space construction is completed, the anticipated process will include:
• Request for Proposal (RFP) Distribution
• Site Visit and Information Session
• Proposal Review
• Finalist Interviews
• Selected Program Notification
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Our vision also includes building strong collaborations between the child care center and other community organizations that provide support services to young children and families (such as early intervention and early childhood mental health.) This wrap-around approach will increase local access and coordination of services through shared office and meeting space and onsite service delivery.
RHS Repurposing Project Child Care Committee:
• Maureen Young is an early childhood consultant and early education instructor for the Community College of Vermont.
• Mickaela Richardson is a Physical Therapist (PT) at HomeTown Physical Therapy.
• Andrew Fersch is a teacher, father, and husband, who is excited about the myriad benefits that would come from local early childhood programming
Are you interested in joining the Child Care Committee? Do you have any questions?
Contact Maureen Young at May11170@gmail.com
