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…

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded Craftsbury Saplings Inc. $1,000,000 on August 31, 2026, under the Social Services Research and Demonstration program (CFDA 93.647) to execute a 12-month childcare expansion readiness project in Vermont.

Craftsbury Saplings, a licensed nonprofit childcare center serving six towns in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, will use the funds to increase licensed capacity from 19 to 42 children daily by fall 2027, adding 23 childcare slots including infant care. Project activities support both service continuity and expansion readiness: maintaining staffing and operations for currently enrolled children and families, recruiting and onboarding new staff, strengthening administrative systems, conducting planning and permitting activities, completing accessibility improvements, purchasing classroom and program equipment and supplies, and preparing facility and program infrastructure to support increased enrollment. The project addresses documented chronic shortage of childcare services in the economically distressed region. Period of performance runs through August 30, 2027.

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.