Three Quincy programs receive
early childhood development grants

By Jessica Bartlett, Town Correspondent

A total of $2.8 million in grants has been awarded to more than 20 South Shore programs, including three in Quincy.

Provided by the state Department of Early Education and Care, in partnership with Wheelock College, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, and the Community Advocates for Young Learners Institute, the money will help fund programs and provide classroom instructional equipment at early childhood centers throughout the Commonwealth.

The grants, obtained through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and distributed through the Child Care and Development Fund received by the Commonwealth, hope to provide greater literacy and speaking skills at a younger age, enabling students to enter into kindergarten with a better grasp on how to learn.

Over 400 programs in 139 communities will receive the aid, ranging in amounts up to $10,000.

Among those in Quincy to receive aid are the Jack 'n' Jill Kindergarten and Child Care in West Quincy; South Shore Stars Inc.-Broadmeadows Afterschool Stars; and South Shore Stars Inc.-Quincy Preschool Stars.

According to Kelley Joyce, the executive vice president for Jack ‘n’ Jill Kindergarten centers, the application process was difficult but, well worth the effort.

“We had to work hard to get that money. It was our first grant writing experience. You had to do an assessment of the program, show what areas are the weakest, and link them to the new standards coming out,” Joyce said.

The West Quincy location received approximately $9,870, which will go towards professional development from the staff as well as a new playground for the kids.

Overall, the grant is to help programs throughout the Commonwealth increase the standards of their businesses. Five tiers of excellence are obtained one at a time, and are allowing programs to fall more in line with the state’s new childcare standards, or the Quality Rating Improvement System.

According to a release, “QRIS definitions of quality may be used by parents to help them choose high-quality programs for their children, and by the state and other stakeholders to focus policy development and funding strategies.”

According to Joyce, the new standards are similar to being an accredited center, and going through the grant process helps programs assess what is working and what needs improvement.

“It allows you to reflect on your program, and look at what is quality verse quantity … you decide what’s important, and you match those with the standards,” Joyce said. “It’s very difficult, as a childcare center, to have the time and resources to benefit from it, but when these programs are offered to you, it helps you improve your program.”

The money was awarded to many programs in early May, and many centers are already utilizing the funds.

For Joyce, it means the full realization of winning the grant money is slowly setting in.

“By July 31, everything we worked so hard to get will be in,” she said. “There will be kids on those swings in the playground!”

According to Michael Durkin, president of the local United Way, the grants will have big benefits for many students and for many years to come.

“We are proud that our Commonwealth, particularly in challenging economic times, continues to keep an eye on the long-term impact of investing in our children as a means to foster the health and well-being of future generations,” Durkin said.

For a full list of programs that received money, click here.