Early Care and Education Program – Valley Hub Inc

Valley Hub Inc. is currently seeking a high-quality Early Care and Education Program to lease space in our newly renovated facility. The child care floor plan is currently designed to serve up to 8 infants, 10 toddlers, and 12 preschool children.

The ideal provider will bring a high-quality, licensed program to our community. We are very interested in a program that uses the natural environment and outdoor experiences to support learning, development, and exploration in young children.

We will consider proposals from new programs that may not yet be licensed in Vermont and will provide program consultation as needed during the licensing process.

Interested programs are invited to submit proposals as noted below.

To schedule a site visit, please contact Maureen Young by email: may11170@gmail.com

For more Information and to read the full Request for Proposal, please click here.

Programs should show evidence of developmentally appropriate practice by describing how they will:

Embrace fusing early childhood and environmental education to support children’s lifelong connection with the natural world
Build a learning community that accepts differences and fosters a sense of belonging
Respect and support families as partners and decision makers in the learning and development of their children
Emphasize the importance of play as the foundation for children s learning and development
Plan and implement an engaging curriculum that builds on child interests and encourages community involvement
Use the Vermont Early Learning Standards as a guide to intentional teaching
Embrace teaching practices that are responsive to children developmental level, identities, and needs
Engage in an ongoing mix of formal and informal assessments to monitor and support development and learning
Participate in Vermont STARS, which recognizes programs that build and maintain practices that have the greatest impact on positive outcomes for children
Ensure that tuition rates are competitive with similar programs in surrounding communities, and commit to enrolling families who are eligible for child care tuition assistance.

The Repurposing Project includes the following components:

Adult Day Center
Early Care and Education Center
Arts and Learning Center
Maker Space
Outdoor Recreation Center
Office Space

In February 2025, a Community Child Care Needs Assessment was distributed to families residing in the
Quintown Area (Granville, Hancock, Pittsfield, Rochester, and Stockbridge).
The resulting data supports the need for a full-time, year-round early care and education program in our
community.

The survey was completed by 24 families residing in Hancock, Rochester, and Stockbridge. One family
reported that they are planning to move to the Quintown Area.
The majority of families (79%) live in a household size of 4 or less.
The majority of families (75%) include 2 parents, both employed.

95% of families include infants and toddlers (birth-36 months)
61% of families include preschoolers (3-5 years)
74% of the families either have no access or are relying on family and friends for child care.
26% of families are currently using Licensed or Regulated Child Care in communities outside of the Quintown
Area. Two of these programs are closing.

Child Care issues have caused parents to:
Not seek employment (43%)
Not continue their education (17%)
Call out of work (65%)
Leave work early (61%)
Cut back work hours (65%)
Leave their job (22%)

Having access to local Child Care would allow parents to:
Return to the workforce (70%),
Continue their education (35%)
Enroll in a job training program (10%)
Additional Responses: (Go to Appointments, Work full-time in the summer before a child qualifies for One
Planet, Seek full-time work, Be more present during work hours (works from home)

The program type that best meets families’ needs:
Full-Day (83%)
Year-Round (65%)
Summer and School Vacations (30%)
Before/After School (26%)