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EEC outlines first-round awards, eligibility and Aug. 2025 second-round plans for family child care capital grants
Summary
The Department of Early Education and Care presented results from the pilot capital grant first round — 1,681 applications and about 158 awards — and gave guidance and eligibility details ahead of a second round expected in late August 2025 with roughly $3 million available.
The Department of Early Education and Care told providers on Aug. 20 that award notices for the pilot family child care capital grant’s first round were sent on June 17 and that the program will launch a second round in late August 2025 with about $3 million available.
Dayana, session chair and representative of the Department of Early Education and Care’s family child care capital grant pilot program, said the first round drew 1,681 applications and that roughly 158 projects received awards. "Award notices for the first round were sent on June 17," Dayana said. She said the maximum award per project is $25,000.
The department published winners on its website, and award letters outline required next steps for grant recipients, Dayana said. Applicants who were not selected will receive a letter explaining why their application was not accepted and will be encouraged to reapply in the second round.
Why it matters: the pilot grants are intended to help licensed family child care providers pay for capital improvements — such as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning upgrades, energy-efficient kitchen equipment, outdoor play fencing and additions such as deck expansions, bathroom or basement renovations, and staff-related facility improvements — that program staff say can increase licensed capacity and improve care quality.
Program details and eligibility: Dayana said all applicants must meet program policy requirements, including operating at least four days per week and holding a current license. Applicants must submit detailed budgets, ownership documentation (for example, property deeds or mortgage documents when applicable), contractor bids with contractor names and license verification, and evidence of supplemental funding when used. The program requires pre-grant photos of the space and documentation showing recipients will continue to provide services at the funded location for two years.
On reapplying and limits: Dayana said projects that applied in the first round may apply again in the second round but cautioned that total awards to a single applicant across both rounds cannot exceed $25,000. She said the department will post additional application details and updated forms on its website and will send qualified applicants links and instructions.
Geographic notes: Dayana said award distribution in the first round was roughly even across several regions but that the department hopes to see more successful applications from Greater Boston, the southeastern region and Cape Cod in the second round, where award counts were lower.
Application review notes: successful applications tended to include a clear scope of work (major cost items, contractor name and address, bid number), practical budgets and documentation showing how the project would increase licensed enrollment or capacity and improve care quality. Dayana urged applicants who were not selected to use reviewers’ feedback to strengthen second-round submissions.
Next steps and timing: the department expects to open the second-round application in late August 2025 and to post further guidance, application forms and deadlines on its website and to notify eligible applicants directly. No formal policy changes or votes were taken during the presentation; the session was informational.
