The City of San Carlos Childcare Grant Program aims to increase the availability and quality of childcare services within the city by providing funding for capital improvement projects to local childcare centers, family childcare homes, and non-profit centers. While the "foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change" are not explicitly stated as coming from a separate foundation, the city's mission alignment is evident in its commitment to supporting childcare infrastructure. The program's overall goal is to address the need for more childcare spaces and improved facilities for young children, specifically those aged five and under.
The target beneficiaries of this grant program are commercial childcare centers, family childcare homes, faith-based childcare centers, and non-profit childcare centers located within the City of San Carlos. Public school districts are not eligible. The program's impact goals are centered around creating more childcare spaces, particularly for infant children (birth-2 years old), and improving the capacity of existing centers to serve diverse needs, including children with special needs and those who utilize vouchers.
The program prioritizes applications from childcare providers who serve infants, create a higher number of childcare spaces, accept vouchers, or serve children with special needs. Eligible projects are focused on capital improvements, such as land or center acquisition, new construction, tenant improvements for new or existing childcare uses, expansion of operating centers, and improvements to establish new small or large family childcare homes. The grant specifically excludes funding for maintenance or operations.
The expected outcomes include an increase in the number of licensed childcare spaces in San Carlos, particularly for infants, and enhanced facilities that can accommodate various age groups and children with special needs. Measurable results would involve tracking the number of new childcare spaces created, the number of infants served, and the number of providers accepting vouchers as a direct result of the grant funds. The program aims to ensure that funds are utilized for capital improvements, leading to tangible and lasting improvements in the city's childcare infrastructure.
