By Ashley Donahue, contributing writer
Posted on Nov 22, 2024
Shelly Russell, a childcare provider for nearly three decades, has been reading up recently on the benefits of outdoor play.
Now, thanks to an innovative grant program for childcare providers in York County, Russell has funding to put words into action.
A grant of $48,000 helped her furnish an outdoor classroom at her facility, Daisy Hill Daycare in Windsor Township, with weatherproof furniture and toys, as well as a rock and water feature that her six young charges have been eagerly exploring.
Russell explained to biznewsPA that she had “already planned to create a better learning environment,” and the new funds helped bring her plans to life.
The funding is from a program created in spring 2024 to address the shortage of quality childcare in York. Known as Every Child Has Opportunities, or ECHO, the program has been handing out tens of thousands of dollars to providers like Russell.
Advocates see childcare as a critical foundation for a healthy economy – and its lack as a significant drawback for employers. People who can’t find affordable, reliable childcare often have to leave the workforce or take unplanned days off.
“Childcare is infrastructure. Period,” said Katie Caples, director of the ECHO program.
A mother of two, Caples has seen firsthand the struggles of the industry, motivating her to strive for better standards. Three-quarters of children under 5 in York County have trouble accessing quality childcare, and ECHO is an attempt to change that.
In an interview with biznewPA, Caples said it is also important to reduce the stigma around working with children. People tend to see early childhood education programs, whether offered in homes or larger institutions, as day care services.
The average pay in childcare reflects those perceptions. Childcare workers are getting paid around $15.15 per hour in Pennsylvania, according to the 2024 State of Early Care and Education report. Starting pay at convenience-store chain Rutter’s is $18.00 per hour.
The relatively low pay makes it hard to attract workers, reducing the capacity of childcare providers and forcing working parents onto long wait lists.
To expand capacity, ECHO launched a first round of grant funding this year to help new and established home-based providers upgrade their facilities. The program is backed by business and philanthropic leaders in York County who recognize the need to bolster early childhood education, Caples said. Supporters include United Way of York County, WellSpan Health, the Powder Mill Foundation and others.
The first round of grantmaking resulted in grants of nearly $1 million, including awards to six startups that received $20,000 each.
Russell, who has operated Daisy Hill since 2013, received an innovation grant, which is for providers with pre-existing businesses certified by the Department of Human Services.
The funding, she said, allows her to create the highest possible learning experience. The six children in her care have been thrilled to experiment with the new water feature.
“I have been reading articles on this concept and how being outdoors has many benefits,” she said.
ECHO closed a second round of grant applications on Oct. 25. Home-based providers are eligible for grants of $10,000 to $40,000, up from $5,000 to $20,000. Centers can request from $25,000 to $50,000.
The second round also includes a stipend program of forgivable loans, which are offered as part of ECHO’s partnership with the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center, an arm of the York County Economic Alliance.\
Sully Pinos, BLOOM’s executive director, said the process helps prepare new business owners for future financial opportunities.
Applying for a grant program while also balancing the daily demands of caring for young children can add extra stress to business owners.
Russell described the grant application process as both “exciting” and “overwhelming.” It took time for contractors to get back to her with estimates for the equipment, for example.
But the staff at ECHO – including STAR coordinator Jen DeStaphono and provider specialist Barb Green – guided Russell through each step of the process.
“I am extremely grateful for having the opportunity to be a recipient of the ECHO grant, which will allow me to do more with the children than I ever thought possible and provide them a greater learning experience that may not otherwise have been available to them,” said Russell.
ECHO is administered by Community Connections for Children (CCC) and the York County Economic Alliance (YCEA) with philanthropic support from J. William Warehime Foundation, Powder Mill Foundation, WellSpan Health, United Way of York County, York County Community Foundation, and Kinsley Foundation.
