Editor’s note:
In 2021, as part of an unprecedented investment in the nation’s early care and education industry from the federal government, a $65 million grant was administered by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Phoenix, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First (FTF) through the federal pandemic relief funding that DES administers.
Arizona child care providers received nearly $60 million to rapidly improve and expand their facilities increasing access to early childhood learning environments statewide.
The need was substantial: Arizona providers submitted 969 applications requesting more than $176 million in funding in just two weeks. Providers from 14 of Arizona’s 15 counties applied.
Equity was a focus: Child care providers located in low-to-moderate income areas with limited access to child care were the first priority. Additional priorities included providers caring for infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, and children who receive child care assistance through DES, as well as providers with waitlists and those open nights and weekends.
Ultimately, 478 sites received grants with an average award of $124,750.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing stories from some of child care providers across Arizona who benefitted from the infrastructure grants. You’ll hear firsthand how the grants transformed the learning environment for children in their care.
This week we’re sharing a story from a provider in Yavapai County.
LaLa’s Land of Learning, Prescott Valley
Esmeralda Mata-Church taught for 12 years before beginning her child care journey opening a family child care home in her rental house in 2014.
By 2019, she had grown her Prescott Valley child care business into LaLa’s Land of Learning, a licensed center able to serve up to 70 children. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Mata-Church feared she would lose everything, but she was determined to continue to serve her families.
This determination paid off when funding opportunities, made possible by an Arizona Child Care Infrastructure Grant, emerged to support child care providers, including LaLa’s Land of Learning.
The $65 million grant was administered by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Phoenix, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First (FTF) through the federal pandemic relief funding that DES administers.
Child care providers received nearly $60 million to rapidly improve and expand their facilities, increasing access to high-quality early childhood learning environments statewide.
In Yavapai County, 15 grants were awarded totaling almost $3 million. The money was used to:
- Create 45 new child care slots
- 87% of providers increased the quality of outdoor play space
- 1 in 5 grantees increased classroom(s) size
- 1 in 5 grantees installed antimicrobial surfaces
“These investments are important for several reasons, but we know that access to child care is important and many areas of our state are a child care desert, which limits the access to families,” said Ginger Sandweg, FTF senior director for early learning.
“Some programs used the grant funding to expand the number of children they can enroll. The (profit) margins for child care providers are so slim so there’s not a lot of opportunity to reinvest their funds to add new age groups or more slots.”
Mata-Church used a $200,000 grant to complete much-needed updates to her child care facility, which she bought in 2022. Being located in an area with limited access to child care, Mata-Church’s contractor worked quickly to complete all the projects.
The team installed new epoxy flooring resistant to wear and tear and dimmable LED lights to help with naptime and reduce energy costs. The whole facility received a fresh coat of paint with village-themed murals in many places.
Mata-Church also increased security with the addition of two cameras and a security door.
One of the biggest impacts has been the bathrooms. A complete renovation lowered toilets and sinks to appropriate child heights, making them more accessible for the kids. New touchless water faucets, soap dispensers and hand dryers have been a hit with teachers and kids alike while reducing the spread of germs. The kids loved their increased independence and privacy, and teachers gained back precious minutes in their day.
“My goal is to provide a second home for the kids—to make it comfortable for them and a place where it is open, warm and loving,” Mata-Church said.
They have built an early care and education environment where children rush through the door, excited to learn and teachers are ready to meet the unique needs of each child, caring for infants through school-aged children.
Using grant money, Mata-Church was also able to reimagine the entire outdoor space.
She installed turf and removed sand from the 3,900-square-foot playground. The contractor turned Mata-Church’s vision for outdoor classrooms into a magical pre-k playground with five unique learning areas and a meandering bike track. Each learning area has its own pergola and activity center.
“Children’s access to nature and fresh air and physical exercise, the ability to run, jump and swing in the safest environment is so beneficial to children’s growth and development,” Sandweg said.
Even with the improvements made possible through the grant, LaLa’s Land of Learning still has needs, highlighting the necessity for continued investment in Arizona’s child care providers.
“I had to really think about the longevity of everything we purchased,” Mata-Church said. “The impacts of the grant go beyond the physical transformations. Our teachers have such pride in the new materials and spaces. It is energizing for them to see the kids so excited.”
