SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- A significant $15 million grant is poised to alter the childcare outlook for 700 children throughout Santa Clara County by providing much-needed access to childcare services. Among the grateful beneficiaries is Bobbi Urbano, the executive director of the Willow Glen Community Extended Day Enrichment Program, who expressed her joy at receiving $500,000. "I was surprised. I was very surprised. I feel grateful we were chosen," Urbano stated during the announcement made at her daycare center.
The funding was formally introduced on March 14, 2025, during a press conference held inside Urbano's classroom, where she passionately highlighted the challenges faced during the pandemic. Her program witnessed drastic changes, shrinking from servicing 200 children down to just 13 at one point. "Since then, it's just been kind of survival," she reflected. Now, with this new grant, her center is poised to make substantial improvements, including raising staff salaries and upgrading necessary equipment.
The importance of this funding cannot be overstated, particularly as it targets key areas necessary for sustaining childcare providers. The grant allows recipients to allocate funds for construction, operational costs, and rent, spurring significant growth potential for facilities like Urbano's, who plans to add 20 more children to her program and hire five additional teachers. This boost not only benefits providers but also families who rely heavily on accessible childcare options.
Local government officials, including Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, championed the grant announcement, emphasizing the community-wide benefits of investing in childcare. "The message is so important to understand is: childcare is not the sole responsibility of the individual parent. It is a public good, it allows people to work, it reduces poverty, and it helps employers," Ellenberg noted. She believes firmly in advocating for childcare funding, asserting it propels entire economies forward.
Unfortunately, the need for such funding stems from the closure of around 700 licensed childcare facilities across Santa Clara County over the past decade, highlighting the urgency of retaining and supporting the current providers. Ellenberg's remarks expressed the deep-rooted necessity of childcare accessibility—a sentiment echoed by many speakers at the gathering.
While Santa Clara County grapples with its childcare crisis, England is addressing similar issues through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which will continue another financial year starting on April 1, 2025. Funded by the Department for Education, the HAF programme provides not only free food and childcare but also sports, music, and arts clubs to lower-income households during school holidays.
This initiative was first rolled out across England following pilot programs from 2018 to 2020, focusing on reducing inequalities faced by children from lower-income households, especially during school breaks. Reports indicate the school holidays can frequently be periods of strain for disadvantaged families, often leading to social isolation and nutritional deficiencies among children. The HAF programme aims to bridge this gap fundamentally.
Local councils are tasked with administering this programme. For example, Waltham Forest Council is preparing to offer holiday clubs along with meals for children from Reception to Year 11, primarily servicing those receiving benefits-related free school meals. Kids in the program are entitled to four sessions during this period.
Likewise, Lincolnshire County Council is extending its provisions to school-aged children on benefits-related free school meals during the upcoming Easter holidays from April 7 to April 22, 2025. Application processes are already underway, encouraging participation for those eligible through local council guidelines.
This year, the necessity for such programs will also be underscored by the forthcoming round of funding from the Household Support Fund, which closes at the end of March 2025. With funding of £421 million allocated, councils across England will manage distributions to meet pressing community needs, especially for vulnerable families.
Urbano's reflections on the grant and the significance of early childcare read as both uplifting and urgent. Creating sustainable support for childcare providers directly impacts the communities they serve. "Makes longevity for our turnaround and helps these children have somebody consistent," she noted of the potential changes.
Through these funding initiatives, both localities aim to tackle the challenges faced by families lacking financial resources, ensuring children maintain access to enriching environments throughout the school year and beyond. The community's commitment to supporting its youngest members will play a pivotal role not just for individual families but for the broader society as well.
With grants expected to be used effectively by December 2026, the aim is for these resources to lead to lasting improvements, reinforcing the idea of childcare as foundational, rather than optional. It's believed initiatives like the HAF programme will continue shaping positive experiences for families during school breaks, making them more equitable and accessible.
Indeed, as the necessity of childcare sees increasing scrutiny, such funding serve as lifelines for communities, reminding us of our collective responsibility.