Efforts are under way across Washington County to expand access to flexible childcare -- including the upcoming opening of a new facility at the former Charlotte Elementary School -- in an attempt to meet unmet need. The county currently faces one of the largest gaps in the state between children under the age of six and available licensed childcare slots, according to Tess Gionet at Coastal Enterprises Inc (CEI).
      While CEI has been offering startup loans for childcare providers across the state since its inception in 1977, it began a more hands-on approach in 2020 with the launch of its Child Care Business Lab. That program, which provides tools, training and support to aspiring childcare entrepreneurs, has since seen 30 graduates who have created more than 580 childcare spaces around the state.
      Among the graduates of CEI's lab in Washington County are Jenessa Pritchard, who launched the Rose Hill Clubhouse from her home in Jonesboro in 2022 and now provides care for 12 children, and Tabitha Bennett, who opened Little Bird Child Care in Pembroke in 2020 when her daughter couldn't find childcare for her granddaughter. In total, CEI's childcare lab has assisted with the opening of four childcare facilities in the county, leading to the creation of 128 childcare spaces in the last few years.
      "By strategically focusing on underserved rural areas, we're working to ensure that every Maine family has access to quality, reliable childcare -- a fundamental requirement for both workforce participation and child development," Gionet says.
      There's a long road ahead to fill the gap, however, particularly as working families require more and more flexible schedules. It's a problem that's been compounded by changes in how the state administers reimbursements for the Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP), says Penni Theriault of Lots of Tots Childcare in Princeton.
      "It used to be a lot easier for parents to get full time" childcare status through the CCSP, Theriault says, with parents including their travel time and other factors to demonstrate that they were working full time hours. About eight years ago, the state adopted stricter requirements for proving that full time care was necessary, dramatically reducing the number of children eligible for that care.
      "There's a lot more part time slots being filled," Theriault says. "It's great that more families are being helped, but for continuity of care ? well, we used to have the same 12 kids all week, but now it's broken up," reducing opportunities for multi day projects.
      The state has taken other measures to increase the number of children in childcare, including increasing the income limit for CCSP from 85% of the state's median to 125%, a change that went into effect on July 1. Theriault says the changes are very welcome overall, and she's glad the state is working to make a difference for families. "For a while it seemed like we were beating our heads against a wall."
      Providing selective reimbursement and childcare spaces are two major components of the solution, but they aren't the only pieces needed. At St. Croix Early Care and Education Center in Calais, for example, money remains a major hurdle, as many families who need support are over the income threshold for federal Head Start benefits, says Naomi McIsaac, director of early childhood programs at Downeast Community Partners (DCP). Workforce retention is another ongoing struggle as staffing shortages persist despite DCP increasing its wages.
      Childcare employees are faced with managing the "rising complexity of children's needs in our classrooms, including a significant increase in children with disabilities and post-pandemic behavioral challenges," McIsaac says, adding that DCP has been providing training to that effect. The increased individual needs require "a decreased child-to-teacher ratio," further challenging staffing issues.
      Despite the potential obstacles, the high need for childcare in the county has been enough to prompt the planned launch of an all new enterprise at the former Charlotte Elementary School.

Children to return to Charlotte school
     After three years of being on childcare waitlists from Calais to Columbia Falls -- and recognizing that "needing to work but not having childcare seems to be a common problem in our community" -- Heather Doughty decided to take action. Having worked in childcare for 15 years, she says it was time for her to pursue her lifelong dream and open a childcare facility. When she found out that the Charlotte school was vacant, after being shuttered last June, she determined it was located in an ideal location to serve families between Calais, Eastport and Machias.
      From that point onward, Doughty has been working to establish Maritime Munchkins, including developing a business plan and selecting state approved curriculums. Once opened, the center will provide childcare for 50 or more children, Doughty says, including individual care for children who need one on one support. Accordingly, as many as 12 jobs will be created, with most of the positions already filled.
      Flexibility is the name of the game for Doughty, who is looking to meet the county's changing needs. In addition to regular full time childcare for children between six weeks and five years old, Maritime Munchkins will offer an after school program to provide extended hours for families who need to travel for work. A summer program for school aged children, complete with field trips, is already being planned. Outside of programming, the center will offer a playroom that is open to the public throughout the week and on weekends, providing a space for homeschool groups and playgroups to meet. On November 30, Doughty is planning a childcare event to give parents and community members an opportunity to see the space before it opens fully.
      Doughty is in the midst of fundraising and gathering supplies for the center, with a loan from CEI providing some of the funding. Approximately $20,000 remains to be raised, for which she is seeking sponsors and donations from the community. Those interested can reach her at 207 271 8011.
      CEI will be holding an in person session about its Child Care Business Lab in Machias on Thursday, November 21. Find out more about the lab and available resources at ceimaine.org/child-care.