Early childhood education is an essential part of the growth and development of children. MetroAction supports area child care providers that want to improve the care they provide to area children.

That is why, in 2005, MetroAction, with the assistance of the Opportunity Finance Network, created the Child Care MicroGrant Program. Since its inception, the program has awarded grants to 24 child care providers and impacted over 1,200 local children across seven counties in NEPA.

This past October, MetroAction awarded five more area child care providers with a MetroAction Child Care MicroGrant. Out of the 18 applications submitted, the five recipients were chosen for specific project ideas that showcased innovation.

MetroAction was proud to provide a Child Care MicroGrant to the following providers: 

• Buttons and Bows in Carbon County who will purchase rubber mulch to make their outdoor play area safer for the 35 children that attend their center.

• The Greater Carbondale YMCA in Lackawanna County will spend their grant funds on implementing their Health and Wellness focused project called “Cardio for Kids”. This program will allow the over 45 children that participate the opportunity to learn about healthy exercise in a fun way.

• The Greater Scranton YMCA in Lackawanna County will implement their “Smart Cents” after school program. This program will teach over 40 students with hands-on activities teaching about money, business, problem solving and math.

• The Growing Place in Luzerne County will utilize their grant funds on a project called Music and Movement. This curriculum and program development focused project will impact 115 children by exposing them to different types of music and choreography.

• Pocono Services for Families and Children in Monroe County will have a Diversity Awareness project focusing on teaching tolerance to over 75 children. This project will utilize multi-cultural materials such as books, puppets and music to teach about improving self-esteem, language differences, and diverse cultures.

MetroAction awards $2,500 in MicroGrants to child care providers throughout their eight county service area, twice each year. The next funding round will take place in spring 2009.

Visit our website, www.MetroAction.org, for program updates. 
 
Have you received a MicroGrant from MetroAction?  Post your comments and program highlights here!

MetroAction announced today that child care providers in northeastern Pennsylvania are now eligible to apply for a $500 project grant through MetroAction’s Child Care MicroGrant program.  Child Care providers can apply for funding to support projects that fit into the following funding priorities: Health and Wellness, Safety Improvement, Curriculum and Program Development and Diversity.

Applications are available on www.MetroAction.org, along with submission instructions, application guidelines and tip sheets.  MicroGrant applications are due on October 10, 2008 by 4:00 PM.

To help eligible providers complete the application, MetroAction will be hosting a free help session teleconference on September 23 at 12:30 PM.  The session will provide an overview of the program, tips on what the review committee is looking for, sample projects and offer participants an opportunity to ask questions.   This help session is free, but pre-registration is required.

As part of their commitment to improving the quality of affordable childcare in the region, MetroAction awards $2,500 in MicroGrants to child care providers throughout their eight county service area, twice each year.  Since the launch of MetroAction’s Child Care MicroGrant program in 2005, 25 providers across seven counties have received funding. The MicroGrant program has directly impacted more than 700 local children.

MetroAction has partnered with the United Way of Lackawanna County’s Success by Six Program and the Old Forge, Carbondale Area, and Scranton School Districts to provide the Kindergarten Readiness Nutrition Education Program.

With funding from The Blue Ribbon Foundation of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the program will educate local childcare providers and low-to-moderate income families on changes in nutrition habits and ways to foster healthy eating as children transition from daycare/home care to kindergarten.

Twenty (20) childcare providers across eight counties and 200 families in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties will benefit from this program. Learn more about how MetroAction is committed to improving the quality of child care in NEPA.