UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County has launched a Family Daycare Startup Grant Program providing $250,000 to create new home daycare businesses and help existing home daycares expand, Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced.
The fund is a direct result of the recommendations given in a recent report from the Oneida County Childcare Taskforce, which identified the initial cost as one of the barriers to starting a home daycare business. Those startup costs can include diapers, playpens, toys, educational materials, and other equipment and can be prohibitive to lower-income families interested in becoming a state-certified provider. Existing providers also face the same cost barrier when in need of equipment to expand their daycare capacity.
“The inadequate supply of childcare is a major hurdle faced by families and employers across Oneida County,” Picente said in a statement. “The startup costs associated with creating a family daycare is a barrier that many cannot overcome. This grant program will alleviate that burden, and in turn, expand childcare capacity by strengthening the workforce pipeline, generating jobs, and giving more options to families looking for affordable daycare.”
According to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, there are currently 67 licensed family daycare homes, 51 licensed group family daycare homes, and 34 licensed daycare centers in Oneida County.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County (CCE) currently provides technical support to those interested in opening a daycare within their own home. The support includes access to state-required orientations and training, assistance with completing the state childcare application packet, and assistance remaining compliant with regulations.
Oneida County will partner with CCE for the grant program, with CCE administering the fund and not exceeding $2,500 in awards per individual daycare. Benchmarks will be set for recipients, with the CCE submitting quarterly program result reports to the county.
The fund could create up to 100 new daycares and slots for up to 1,000 children.
Oneida County also provided CCE with $42,500 to fund a Childcare Navigator position to help individuals seeking childcare connect with providers and assist those looking to start a childcare business.
“Adequate quality childcare is an integral part of a thriving economy, and even more importantly, investing in quality childcare invests in the future of the children, building the foundation that they need to succeed in school and throughout their lives,” CCE Executive Director Mary Beth McEwen said.
Those interested in applying for a grant can email CCE at earlycareandlearning@cornell.edu or call (315) 736-3394, extension 243.