I will hopefully be getting a grant, but have to have a list of things beforehand. Any "must haves" that you guys could help me add to the list!?

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I would kill for a new fence. Ours is a metal one and we have a couple of big dogs next door. Thankfully they are not our during the day but that doesn't make me feel any better.

Melissa

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I received a grant last year and the MagnaTiles were such a huge hit I bought 2 boxes and wish I would have bought 3. They play with them every single day and all age groups!

Also another big hit was the water/sand table and playhouse for outside.

A big flop was the microscope with slides for the older kids. Totally not interested.

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Agreed on all the above.

Magnatiles are awesome. My kids also did not care for a microscope.

I don't like spending money on books because they always get trashed too fast. So, I usually request to add to my book collection here.

This year, I bought a light table from Discount School Supply. It is AWESOME. They use it with the see-through magnatiles all the time.

I also bought a hands-free soap dispenser that I looooove.

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I just spent my grant money this week....I got a light table and a new kitchen center for my toddler room and a new kitchen center for the preschool room.

I have a million things on my wish list but the funding only goes so far and I am super grateful for the things I am able to buy!

See through MagnaTiles are definitely on my wish list for use with the light table!!

I also got a RETAIN grant ($2000) this year and that money is suppose to be a bonus for me and not money I have to spend on my program but that's so hard to do... there are so many things I want to buy!

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How do you guys find grants!? The Economic development center in my community offered the 1 and only daycare center here a big ol' grant. Home providers are being offered a one-time low interest loan :rolleyes.

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My rep from Great Start To Quality helped me. It was a grant through the State of Michigan. When I received my star rating and then increased it, I was eligible.

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As for ideas, I wish I had a taller stepstool with sides for the bathroom, a higher quality changing table pad like this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B078S...KIKX0DER&psc=1. Smocks for painting, a nicer wooden kitchen set or indoor exercise equipment. I would like to make the main room in my downstairs either a kids gym (long winters here!) Or a "house". I also need heavy duty edging for my playground and wood chips for under the climber we recently invested in.

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Does your state have/do you participate in the Youngstar program? We as home providers are eligible for yearly grants through that program and honestly it’s not too much work and my rep is super nice!

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Thank you! I'll have to look into that! As far as I know we don't.

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I honestly don't think my state is doing much for daycares right now. I'll have to check with my child care aware rep but you'd think they'd be informing us of opportunities like grants.

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Usually via the Child Care Aware agency/offices for your state.

What state are you in?

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I'm located in sunny ND

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Well howdy neighbor!

You can get grants for assistance in regards to inclusion.
Here is the info for that. http://ndchildcare.org/projects/inclusion-grants.html

You can also get grants for building quality and/or participation in ND's QRIS program Bright and Early.

Info for building quality can be found here:
http://ndchildcare.org/projects/building-quality.html

Info for Bright and Early participation can be found here:
https://ndchildcareorg.presencehost....ojects/bright/

Early Childhood Education Grant Program info
https://www.workforce.nd.gov/workfor...nGrantProgram/

That is all I found via a quick search. Hope it helps!

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BC, I can never find grants for CA. Do your research skills have any tips for me!? Thanks

Oh and as for what I would wish for... Total outside revamp. Pathways, bridges, plants, varying surfaces/fills, tunnels etc!

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http://www.liifund.org/products/gran...or-child-care/
https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/profile.asp?id=5162

https://california.grantwatch.com/gr...-programs.html

Many of these foundations offer grants to local child care programs according to their site. (You have to do the leg work in searching your area for which foundations do as I only know your state.)
https://lccf.org/find-your-local-community-foundation/

These have a history of funding local child care programs
http://www.buildingchildcare.net/upl...urces-List.pdf

I’m on my iPad in the car (NOT the driver... ) so here’s ^^ what I found doing a light search.

I’ll dig a bit deeper in the a.m. while at work w/access to my PC....where I get better results

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Thanks BC so kind of you to search! I checked out the links and some are not my county, and others are for non-profits only ;( but thank you so much for taking a look. I have tried many times! Oh and one was for after school care- which I don't do..

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Your outdoor dreams sound great!!!

I used to have lists of stuff I wanted so bad. Not anymore. Now it's all related to downsizing and retiring. But I really love the outdoor ideas.

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