NEW ALBANY, Ind. — The Hoosier state will soon see great improvements in early childhood learning. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced more than $18 million in grants will go towards making childcare more accessible.
The grant targets businesses, community groups and school corporations.
According to officials, the multimillion dollar grant will go to 64 employers throughout the state including the Community Montessori school in New Albany.
"This is definitely a step in the right direction," Community Ambassador Jesse Flint said.
Flint helped write the grant application for the school. Out of the $18.1 million, he says the Community Montessori was awarded $50,000. Enough to support all of it's employees and their children in early child care.
"We determined that it's time to take some actions to support our staff in this way and then the grant was really a catalyst," he said.
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According Gov. Holcomb's announcement, the initiative is funded by a portion of the state's remaining remaining federal relief funds from the COVID-19 pandemic. It will help employers and communities create or expand childcare offerings that address the needs of working Hoosiers.
"I think the state is encouraging organizations like us to set a precedent," Flint said.
Each employer can choose from this list of options on how to use the money.
Holcomb's news release said 33 employers plan to provide on-site child care to their employees, and 13 will offer child care tuition benefits to their workers. The remaining awardees plan to support child care for their employees in a variety of other ways, such as reserving seats at partner child care centers.
The Community Montessori already provides staff with discounted childcare. But thanks to the grant, Flint says the school will raise the discount to 50% this year and every year after.
"It's saving our staff, some of them as a much as $6,000 or more a year," he said.
Flint adds this move not only takes a burden off of current employees, but those to come as well.
The Community Montessori is a part of the first round of awardees. Round two awardees – which will be announced in early 2024 – will receive the remaining funds.
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