BOSTON (WHDH) - The city of Boston is launching a new program to lend a helping hand to families.
Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the launch of the childcare entrepreneur fund pilot program that will provide financial grants to home-based family daycare centers and people who are looking to start their own businesses.
It also invests in coaching and technical training to help educators sharpen their skills.
“We have to do a better job of supporting families, and childcare workers,” Walsh said. “The childcare entrepreneur fund pilot will help us do that.”
He says this will help give children a better path to success.
“We know that 80 percent of the brain development happens before the age of three, something that’s really important for us, quality childcare is critical to the growth and the success,” Walsh said.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Early Education Care, Boston has lost more than half of its home-based family childcare businesses since 2010, and the population of kids under five has gone up.
City officials say this combination has likely contributed to the high costs of childcare in the state.
Walsh hopes that having more affordable childcare businesses will ease the burden on Boston families.
“Investing in childcare benefits both parents and children,” Walsh said. “Parents have peace of mind knowing they can afford to send their child to a safe nurturing place during the day and our children will get on a path to a strong future.”
The city will have a series of workshops to help people apply for the grants.
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