Vermont Newsletter

May 2025

Spring isn’t official in Vermont until May. Living here for almost 20 years, I’ve come to appreciate the length of the transitions between seasons – there is always a few weeks of “Is it spring or is it still winter?” and “Is it safe to turn off the heat and put away the winter boots?” and “I just lost my gloves, can I make it to next fall before getting new ones?”

Working with young children, you all probably appreciate how challenging transitions can be. I honestly never had any appreciation for “transition management” until I had a child of my own. Now I understand that even positive changes need time to process, like the end of the ski season even when I am grateful for the extra hours of daylight, the flowers and the warmer weather.

At FCF, we have been getting lots of calls and emails from programs in transition. They're moving to a new location, looking for a new owner, adapting to needs of children they serve, and even adjusting to new CCFAP rates and eligibility. If you are going through some kind of transition with your child care, you are not alone; we are here to help.  

Erin Roche, Vermont Director, First Children's Finance

Need Access to Capital?

All Make Way for Kids Infant/Toddler Capacity Grants funds have been applied for or awarded; we expect a new grant cycle to begin in Fall 2025. We will be featuring stories of successful grantees in this space over the next several months. Reach out to vtgrants@firstchildrensfinance.org to be on the list for the next grant cycle or if you have questions about getting access to capital for your child care business.

If you are wondering how these grants can help, here are a few comments from grant awardees:

“The grant funding has been pivotal in achieving my goals of creating an aesthetically pleasing environment for everyone involved. With the financial support, I was able to select high-quality, wooden materials that not only enhance the visual appeal of our spaces but also contribute to a safer and more engaging atmosphere for the children.”

“By applying for this grant and outlining my expenses, goals, and program as a whole it really helped me create a clear vision of what I wanted my program to be like. I will forever be grateful for the money that I received through this grant as it has allowed me to start my dream business with confidence."

“First children’s finance has played an essential role in my success from initial business planning, projecting financial success and support through the MWFK grant.” 

If you are looking for capital to support your business goals, there are loan funds available. First Children’s Finance and the Vermont Community Loan Fund can help.

The Vermont Community Loan Fund is a mission-driven, community-focused alternative lender providing loans and other resources to local businesses, community organizations & nonprofits, early childhood education programs. First Children’s Finance just made its first loan in Vermont and is excited to bring more capital to Vermont. For more information, see the business loan inquiry site.  

Questions about grant availability? Email vtgrants@firstchildrensfiance.org

Are you interested in joining our Business Planning Cohort? The last Business Planning Cohorts will be this summer. These cohorts support child care business owners and directors that are just starting out in their business or are in the planning stages of a strategic change in direction (e.g., serving a new age group, adding a second location).

Check out the guidelines here. Applications are due by May 23. You can reach out to us for more information/to request an application!

Questions about how FCF VT can help your business? Reach out to infovt@firstchildrensfinance.org or watch this fun video about FCF in VT. 

From Our Partners!

Calling all family child care home business owners! Join VTAEYC for a recruitment and retention event. Choose either May 15 at Montshire Museum in Norwich or May 22 at ECHO in Burlington for dinner and networking. This event is for current and aspiring family child care home business owners and educators.

May 15 | REGISTER HERE!

May 22 | REGISTER HERE!

Vermont Health Connect! A look at the States Health Insurance Marketplace

Health insurance benefits have been an ongoing challenge for many providers. It can impact the hiring and retention of staff and help to keep a healthier program.

May 28 | 1-2 pm | REGISTER HERE!

Extra, Extra!

In partnership with VTAEYC and SPARQS, SharedServicesVT has some new resources for you!  

Resource of the Month: Shared Services Vermont Glow-up! 

Check out the new layout of the Vermont section of Shared Services. Utilize this section for Vermont specific resources, access to VT organizations and relevant/timely news. See what’s new; video tutorial here!

SharedServicesVT is your resource HUB for all things child care and ECE. You need a membership, but it’s free! Sign up now.    

Coming this summer: FCF VT staff spotlights! Many of you know us, but we want you to get to know the faces behind the FCF work even more.

We look forward to sharing a bit about ourselves so keep your eyes peeled in the coming months as we introduce our seven staff members...again? For the first time, in a long time? We aren’t sure, but we’re excited!

Find Where You Need to Go!

The Vermont Business and Technical Assistance Program (BTAP) provides expert business training, technical assistance and consulting to help start, sustain, and grow child care businesses. The BTAP is made possible through a grant to FCF by the Vermont Agency of Human Services, Department for Children and Families, Child Development Division. The Vermont BTAP is a partnership between First Children’s Finance and Let’s Grow Kids.