Editor’s note:
In 2021, as part of an unprecedented investment in the nation’s early care and education industry from the federal government, a $65 million grant was administered by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Phoenix, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First (FTF) through the federal pandemic relief funding that DES administers.
Arizona child care providers received nearly $60 million to rapidly improve and expand their facilities increasing access to early childhood learning environments statewide.
The need was substantial: Arizona providers submitted 969 applications requesting more than $176 million in funding in just two weeks. Providers from 14 of Arizona’s 15 counties applied.
Equity was a focus: Child care providers located in low-to-moderate income areas with limited access to child care were the first priority. Additional priorities included providers caring for infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, and children who receive child care assistance through DES, as well as providers with waitlists and those open nights and weekends.
Ultimately, 478 sites received grants with an average award of $124,750.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing stories from some of child care providers across Arizona who benefitted from the infrastructure grants. You’ll hear firsthand how the grants transformed the learning environment for children in their care.
This week we’re sharing a story from a provider in Pima County.
Camila’s Playhouse, Tucson
Adriana Aranda’s daughter became very ill shortly after she was born. As a single mother of three, Aranda was concerned about returning to work while her daughter went somewhere else for child care.
Aranda had previous experience in child care and knew that with her family’s support, she could launch her own child care business. Camila’s Playhouse opened in 2022 as a certified family child care home in Tucson, serving infants and toddlers birth to age 2.
A funding opportunity, made possible by an Arizona Child Care Infrastructure Grant, soon emerged to support child care providers, including Camila’s Playhouse, which received $25,000 to improve the business.
The $65 million grant was administered by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Phoenix, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First (FTF) through the federal pandemic relief funding that DES administers. Child care providers received nearly $60 million to rapidly improve and expand their facilities, increasing access to high-quality early childhood learning environments statewide.
In Pima County, 118 grants were awarded totaling more than $11 million. The money was used to:
- Create 730+ new child care slots
- 85% of providers increased the quality of outdoor play space
- 1 in 5 grantees increased care for infants and toddlers
- 1 in 5 grantees iupgraded facility security
“These investments are important for several reasons, but we know that access to child care is important and many areas of our state are a child care desert, which limits the access to families,” said Ginger Sandweg, FTF senior director for early learning. “Some programs used the grant funding to expand the number of children they can enroll. The (profit) margins for child care providers are so slim so there’s not a lot of opportunity to reinvest their funds to add new age groups or more slots.”
Home-based child care providers, like Camila’s Playhouse, are a home away from home where children are treated as members of the family, ideal for infants and toddlers.
Aranda’s goal is to provide a loving and warm setting to help babies and toddlers thrive, including a culturally diverse learning environment with programs in English and Spanish. She used the $25,000 in funding to improve her business has helped bring her vision to life.
Aranda used the money to purchase much-needed equipment, materials and supplies.
“I really didn’t have anything,” she said. “My backyard was almost pure dirt. I started with the stuff I had from my daughter’s baby shower.”
The children can now safely play outside on new turf with toys that foster their learning and development.
A beautiful shade structure keeps children cool during Arizona’s heat and a newly raised wall prevents the neighbor’s dog from jumping into the yard. The outdoor space was wrapped with a robust garden providing fresh fruits and vegetables for the children and a safety gate to separate the play area from the garden.
To keep Camila’s Playhouse open and safe for children during the week, Aranda ensured work was completed on the weekends.
“As a single mom, I know how hard it is to find care, and if that care closes, it’s even harder,” she said.
Aranda also increased the health and safety of the indoor spaces where she cares for children by installing safety cameras, magnetic safety locks for cabinets, child-proof outlet covers and sanitation stations for children and parents.
These improvements in safety and quality have enabled her to increase her capacity from one to four children and still care for her daughter.
“The biggest impact for me has been bringing more kids into my care,” Aranda said. “I’m completely full, with interested parents calling. ”
The home provider said she will continue to make parents proud that their children attend Camila’s Playhouse.
For Aranda, family is more than blood relatives. “Camila’s Playhouse is building a family environment that is loving and caring for the babies and toddlers that bring joy to all of us,” she said.
