Indiana's Child Care Expansion Grant

Indiana’s Child Care Expansion Grant program is a state-funded initiative to expand quality child care access, especially for our most vulnerable, hard-working families. The competitive grant opportunity provides funding for early childhood and school-age providers to grow seat capacity to serve more CCDF and On My Way Pre-K children and families.

Existing Program Expansion

  • Up to $200,000 per program to assist providers in updating existing facilities and operations to add or reposition seats to serve more children

  • Be a licensed, regulated or registered child care provider

  • Be in good standing with OECOSL and actively serving children ages 0-12

  • Be an active Paths to QUALITY™ program with a demonstrated commitment to achieving high-quality status

  • Commit to providing access for CCDF and On My Way Pre-K families

  • Agree to maintain and operate the site as an early childhood education program for a minimum of three years

New Program Creation

  • Up to $750,000 for applicants to establish a new child care program in an underserved area

  • Applicants must be the intended program operator of the site and contribute a minimum of 10% of total project budget

  • A licensed, regulated or registered child care provider

  • Achieve Paths to QUALITY™ Level 3 or 4 or have an established plan for doing so through their local CCR&R agency or SPARK Learning Lab

  • Demonstrate a willingness to prioritize access for CCDF and On My Way Pre-K families

  • Agree to maintain and operate the site as an early childhood education program for a minimum of five years

Applications are now open on the I-LEAD grant portal and will run through May 12, 2023.