Building Innovation for Child Care Building a resilient child care system requires exploration of new models and ways of developing space to meet a wide array of family and community needs. The Building Innovation for Child Care (BIC) program funds, coordinates, and supports a cohort of “co-location models” that seek to push the boundaries of
Back to School: What Caregivers Look For As we enter back-to-school season, many caregivers are looking for high-quality child care. Now is a good time to refresh your memory on some facility-related indicators of quality care to ensure you are putting your best foot forward—for caregivers and children. Sensory Calm: Natural light is emphasized and
Resources for Natural Disaster Readiness June 1 is the beginning of Atlantic hurricane season, but Rhode Island residents and businesses should be ready for many different natural disasters and weather events. Emergency preparedness is important for everyone, and child care facilities are no exception. LISC Child Care and Home Grown have created a Provider Preparedness
Preparing for Summer As summer approaches, it is time to get ready for outdoor play in hot weather. The RICCELFF Preparing for Summer resource page includes tips on how to keep children cool, engaged, and safe in the heat and sun. This article from The Guardian explores the importance of allowing children to play outside,
Tips for Springtime Gardening Spring is the perfect time to start incorporating plants and gardening into your child care curriculum. Gardening creates variety in your outdoor space, offers hands-on learning opportunities, and can be connected to concepts in science, math, nutrition, and more. Whether you fill a raised bed outside or plant seeds in yogurt
Get Your Facility Ready for Spring As the weather gets warmer, it is time to plan for spring. Here are a few tips to make sure your facility is ready: 1. Schedule seasonal maintenance, such as Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) filter replacements and updates; water heater and furnace checks; gutter clearing; paint touch-ups;
Small Improvements Can Create an Outsized Impact on Child Care Facilities Many of us do not think about the parts of buildings that keep us safe and comfortable—like electricity, roofing, brickwork, temperature control, and plumbing—until something breaks or isn’t working properly. Functional utilities and well-maintained structures are important to health, safety, and comfort, and they
2026 Child Care Facilities Planning Grant Program Now Open The 2026 Child Care Facilities Planning Grant Program is available for predevelopment and feasibility activities to develop, expand, or improve early childhood facilities in Rhode Island. Grant-funded planning work could include hiring professionals for the following: -Architectural design services for project feasibility and concept design;-Site analysis;-Engineering
City of Providence Early Learning Infrastructure Support Program Impact Report Building upon the success of the first and second phas eof the City of Providence Early Learning Facilities Improvement Grants program, City of Providence Mayor Brett Smiley partnered with LISC’s RI Child Care and Early Learning Facilities Fund for a third phase to administer $1,975,000
Back-to-School Checklist for Child Care Providers Regularly conducting maintenance tasks is essential to preventing costly repairs in the future. In addition, cleaning and sanitizing your spaces is important to the health of children and staff at your facility, especially as we enter respiratory illness season. The back-to-school season is a great time to make sure
