Our Next Generation Fund is expanding the capital and business coaching resources that VCLF makes available to support quality child care programs throughout Vermont.

EARLY CARE & LEARNING:
OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES, OUR FUTURE

When our children receive quality early care, they reach school age better prepared to learn by any number of standards: social and emotional development, communications, cognitive development and general knowledge, physical health and well-being ”“ all of these measures improve significantly with quality early care. When our children benefit from early care and education, their future is brightest: they’re more likely to complete their formal education and join a productive workforce. They’re less likely to engage in violence or crime. VCLF believes that quality early care is essential to the well-being of the next generation of Vermont’s students, workers and citizens.

Of course, children aren’t the only beneficiaries of quality early care. When a family has access to quality child care, parents can go to work knowing their children are safe and learning. A thriving, engaged workforce drives a strong and growing economy, fostering health, financial stability and well-being for families and communities here in Vermont, and beyond. Our state’s economy is further supported by a thriving child care industry that provides both quality care and quality jobs.

TOGETHER, WE'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

In the fall of 2012, VCLF contracted for an outside assessment of our Child Care Loan Program to measure the impact of more than a decade of work. The resulting Child Care Lending Program Assessment report demonstrates that the Program has created significant benefits for the providers, children and families we’ve served:

• VCLF creates greater access to quality early care: 85.6% of infants/toddlers in VCLF borrowers’ care are in high-quality programs, compared to 39% statewide average.
• VCLF serves more low-income families: 44.8% of children enrolled in VCLF borrower programs are low-income, compared to 30% statewide average.
• VCLF creates higher wages: Average hourly wages at VCLF borrower programs were $12.28, compared to $10.63 statewide.
• VCLF increases the quality of early care: 66% of home-based programs and 70% of centers served by VCLF are enrolled in the state’s STARS quality assessment program, compared to 9% and 54%, respectively, statewide.
• VCLF increases food program participation: 55% of home-based programs and 63% of centers served by VCLF are enrolled in the USDA food program, compared to 54% and 23%, respectively, statewide.