All News & StoriesThanks to the generous support of Glick Philanthropies, Child Care Answers is awarding over $177,000 to nine child care programs.
INDIANAPOLIS, April 9, 2025 – Child Care Answers is partnering with Glick Philanthropies to once again award funds to child care providers via the Strengthen Indy Child Care Grant program. The latest round builds upon the success of the 2024 grant program, which created 216 child care seats for families in high-need Indianapolis neighborhoods.
The nine 2025 grantees will follow suit by creating opportunities in seven high-need Marion County zip codes. According to Brighter Futures Indiana, awardees will serve zip codes where licensed/regulated programs can only serve as little as 45% of children needing care.
Three awardees plan to start a child care program, and six will expand and improve their existing programs. Through their projects, awardees will increase availability of early care and education and create equitable child care opportunities for families.
“Early childhood education is absolutely critical,” said Marianne Glick, chair of the Glick Family Foundation. “All research shows that the greatest development in a child’s brain really occurs in the first five years of life, especially the first three. And, so, having those pre-school experiences is essential for them to do well once they enter school.”
The initiative aims for awardees to use funding to increase both child care capacity and the quality of their program. Child Care Answers selected nine newly-opening or established child care programs willing to meet the greatest needs in Indianapolis. Awardees must provide care for infants and toddlers and accept Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers for low-income families. They must also demonstrate commitment to quality by enrolling in the Paths to QUALITY rating and improvement system, working towards a level three or four rating. Programs rated as level three or four are considered by the state of Indiana to be high-quality programs.
This is second round of grants awarded as part of the Strengthen Indy Child Care grant program. Rebecca Mitchell is the director of Calvary Christian Child Care, which was awarded funds in the first round. She shared, “Our grant supported us going from three classrooms to seven classrooms. Before, we were able to only serve 38 families of our community. Now, we are able to bring that to 90 family members.”
Child Care Answers staff will support awardees through November with onsite visits, networking with peer providers, and connection to resources.
“By creating more safe, stable learning environments for children, we are also enabling families the freedom and peace of mind to earn a living and grow their careers,” said Mollie Smith, executive director of Child Care Answers. “This work is so important, not only for the children who receive the direct benefits of quality early care and education, but also for employers who can rely on their parents to be productive, present employees.”
Awardees of the Strengthen Indy Child Care Grant include:
- A Learning Bee STEM Prek Academy
- Chiki’s Child Care
- Chinsuh Childcare Center
- Future Scholars Daycare
- Jesus Fellowship Kidz & Family Ministry
- Lilypad Childcare
- Promise Town Childcare Ministry
- Salima’s Daycare
- Trinity Child Care
For more information about how you can partner with CCA to support the Strengthen Indy Child Care Grant:
- Visit childcareanswers.org/strengthenindy.
- Watch this video highlight of the work we accomplished together during last year’s round of grants.
- Contact us.
About Child Care Answers
Child Care Answers grows with you. Since 1985, Child Care Answers has been a free go-to resource for all things child care in central Indiana – a hand to hold for families, child care professionals, and community partners. Families turn to them to find trusted child care and information about quality child care and early education. Child Care Answers also connects child care providers to the resources and tools they need to start their own professional care and expand their existing programs. They ensure that community partners, employers, and policy makers have access to a platform that amplifies their own work and creates awareness around a shared vision – making the essential accessible to all. Connect today at childcareanswers.org.
About Glick Philanthropies
Glick Philanthropies is an Indianapolis-based family of charitable initiatives dedicated to building community and creating opportunity that empowers every person to reach their full potential. Glick Philanthropies includes Glick Family Foundation, Glick Housing Foundation, the Glick Fund at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), and the Glick Fund at Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis (JFGI). Since 1982, they have awarded $320 million to charitable causes in Central Indiana and communities where Gene B. Glick Company operates. For more information, visit glickphilanthropies.org.
