Vermont Business Magazine First Children’s Finance Vermont has announced the latest recipients of the Make Way for Kids (MWFK) Infant and Toddler Capacity Building Grants, supporting early childhood entrepreneurs who are expanding access to high-quality, affordable child care across the state.
This round of grants will support the opening or expansion of 20 programs in 11 counties, creating dozens of new child care spaces and supporting new jobs statewide. The programs focus on serving infants and toddlers, the age groups facing Vermont’s most significant shortage of available slots.
“We see every day how creative and determined Vermont’s child care entrepreneurs are,” said Erin Roche, Director of First Children’s Finance Vermont. “When they see families in their community who need care, they find ways to grow, adapt, or start something new. These grants help make that possible by giving programs the resources they need to expand and serve more children.”
Alexandra Corrow Family Child Care Home in Sutton is preparing to open a registered home child care, adding 10 new slots for local children. Corrow, who has five years of early childhood experience and most recently served as a lead infant classroom teacher, will create a space with age-appropriate play areas, furniture, and equipment. “I’ve discovered that I’m most passionate about working with a small, consistent group of younger children,” said Corrow. “This grant makes it possible to open my own home child care, where children can feel confident, explore their curiosity, and enjoy learning, while giving families more options in our community.”
In Wilmington, Beaver Brook Children’s School is expanding to meet a growing community need after the nearby Mount Snow program announced it would no longer accept non-employee local families. The expansion will add 23 new child care slots for children ages 0–5 and four new staff positions. Renovations include creating two separate group areas, updating two hallway bathrooms, and completing carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work to meet licensing and fire code requirements.
“This expansion allows us to provide more high-quality care to families in the Deerfield Valley,” said Julie Koehler, Director of Beaver Brook Children’s School. “Our goal is to create a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn and grow.”
Janet McLaughlin, Deputy Commissioner of the Vermont Department for Children and Families Child Development Division, said, “These grants help expand access to child care across Vermont. Each new space supports families in finding reliable early learning options and contributes to the overall capacity and quality of care in our communities.”
In the latest round of grants, projects in multiple counties were awarded funding. New grantees include (by county):
- Bennington: Berkshire Family YMCA; Grace Christian School
- Caledonia: Alexandra Corrow Family Child Care Home; Mickaela Wright Family Child Care Home; Kids of the Kingdom on the Hill
- Chittenden: The Balancing Act
- Grand Isle: Ashley Porter Family Child Care Home
- Lamoille: Little Roots Learning, LLC
- Orange: Creative Preschool, Inc.; Little Red Wagon Child Care; Orange County Parent Child Center
- Orleans: Abigail Sheltra Family Child Care Home; Butterfly Kisses Child Care Center
- Rutland: Carrie Lafond-Hurlburt Family Child Care Home; Rutland County Parent Child Center
- Washington: Eli Atticus Jager Family Child Care Home; Katie Clark-Johnson Family Child Care Home
- Windham: Beaver Brook Children’s School; The Sprouts Program
- Windsor: The Family Place
The MWFK grants are funded by the Vermont Department for Children and Families Child Development Division and administered by First Children’s Finance Vermont, which provides business coaching, technical assistance, and access to capital for child care programs.
Applications for the next round of funding opportunities are now open and are due May 1. For more information or to apply, visit First Children’s Finance Vermont or email [email protected].
About First Children’s Finance VT
First Children’s Finance VT supports the growth and sustainability of child care programs by providing business resources, technical assistance, and access to capital. FCF partners with the Vermont Child Development Division and other state agencies to help ensure equitable access to high-quality early childhood education. Learn more at www.firstchildrensfinance.org/vermont.
3.17.2026. Vergennes — First Children’s Finance Vermont
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