Senator Larkin Announces Child Care Grants

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) today announced local grants to expand and improve area child care facilities.

"This funding will improve safety at existing child care facilities and create new

child care slots for working families," said Senator Larkin. "Parents who must work need to know their children are safe and happy at day care. These grants will help provide more affordable choices for parents, and give children a healthy and nurturing environment to go to every day."

In Orange County, the Blooming Grove Day Care Center will receive a $5,022 grant for Health & Safety improvements.

In Ulster County, the Alphabet Tree II Child Care Center in Marlboro will receive $140,413 for the start-up costs associated with creating 44 new child care slots. The Stepping Stones Early Learning Center in Milton will receive $48,231 for Health & Safety improvements.

"Choosing the most appropriate child care is one of the most important decisions a family can make," said Senator Larkin. "The more information parents have about the facilities that are out there, the better they can make decisions about what’s best for their children."

To help parents with child care selection, the Office of Children and Family Services recently launched the new "As You Think About Child Care..." parent education campaign that offers brochures and videos designed to help parents and other caregivers better understand what to look for when choosing child care.

For more information on how to find child care in New York State, visit the OCFS website at www.ocfs.state.ny.us or call 1-800-345-KIDS.