Craftsbury Saplings

CHILDCARE EXPANSION READINESS PROJECT- IMPROVING ACCESS TO CHILDCARE - CRAFTSBURY SAPLINGS, A LICENSED, NONPROFIT CHILDCARE CENTER SERVING SIX TOWNS IN THE ECONOMICALLY-DISTRESSED NORTHEAST KINGDOM OF VERMONT, IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING ACCESS TO CHILDCARE IN THE REGION. IN RESPONSE TO SIGNIFICANT UNMET DEMAND FOR CHILDCARE IN ITS PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, SAPLINGS IS PREPARING TO INCREASE CAPACITY FROM 19 TO 42 CHILDREN DAILY BY FALL OF 2027. IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS WHILE MAINTAINING CURRENT SERVICES, SAPLINGS WILL IMPLEMENT A 12-MONTH CHILDCARE EXPANSION READINESS PROJECT. PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL SUPPORT BOTH SERVICE CONTINUITY AND EXPANSION READINESS. FUNDS WILL BE USED TO MAINTAIN STAFFING AND OPERATIONS FOR CURRENTLY ENROLLED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES; RECRUIT, HIRE, AND ONBOARD NEW STAFF; STRENGTHEN ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS; CONDUCT PLANNING, PERMITTING, AND DESIGN ACTIVITIES; COMPLETE ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS; PURCHASE CLASSROOM AND PROGRAM EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES; AND PREPARE THE FACILITY AND PROGRAM INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY TO SUPPORT INCREASED ENROLLMENT. BY PROJECT COMPLETION, SAPLINGS WILL BE POSITIONED TO INCREASE LICENSED CHILDCARE CAPACITY BY 23 ADDITIONAL SLOTS, INCLUDING INFANT CARE, HELPING ADDRESS A DOCUMENTED CHRONIC SHORTAGE OF CHILDCARE SERVICES IN THE REGION.