Programs for Child Care Providers
The Early Learning Initiative offers multiple programs to support Burlington’s childcare providers. Learn more about these offerings below.
The First Steps Training Program
Considering a career in early childhood education? The First Steps Training Program is here to help you get started! The First Steps Training Program offered by the Business & Workforce Development Office offers all training necessary to Burlington residents interested in a career in early childhood education.
This FREE program held January 14th through April 22nd, 2025 consists of online classes sponsored by Northern Lights, in-person Pediatric First Aid & CPR Training on February 7th, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training on March 6th. The program is open to Burlington residents only and fully funded through the City of Burlington's Early Learning Initiative; the program is at no cost to you.
To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED.
The deadline to apply for this program is January 6th.
Ready to start a new career? Contact Alex Bacheller at Business & Workforce Development abacheller@burlingtonvt.gov for questions and additional information.
Capacity Grants
The ELI Capacity Grant Program is built to create more space in high-quality infant and toddler child-care programs, and ensure existing high-quality spots remain in the community.
From 2018-2022, the Capacity Grant program has awarded about $823,000 to help:
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Create four new child care centers
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Create up to 124 new high-quality spots
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Stabilize 166 enrolled spots at high-quality centers
New Centers Capacity Grants have supported:
- Riverside Early Learning Center: Champlain Valley Head Start - 2019
- Next Generation Burlington Campus - 2020
- ONE Arts Community School - Burlington - 2021
- The Wilds Preschool - 2023
ELI Language Access Grants
It is important for all families to understand and feel heard by their child care providers, but it can be expensive to cover translation costs. The ELI Language Access Grants hope to alleviate some of this burden on your center.
The ELI Language Access Grants provide funding for interpretation and translation services for Burlington child care providers and First Steps Scholarship partner programs. These grants will reimburse up to $800 to hire interpreters and/or contract translation services to improve communication with families.
This is a reimbursement model and allows ELI to consider costs expended since January 1, 2022. Please reach out with any questions.
Become a First Steps Partner
The First Steps Scholarship helps Burlington families pay for high-quality child care. Qualifying families are awarded scholarship funds that will go directly toward their childcare tuition payment, along with help to secure additional state support.
Become a childcare partner with the First Steps Scholarship to enroll scholarship families into your program.
Who We’ve Supported With ELI Capacity Grants:
- Greater Burlington YMCA
- Sara Holbrook Community Center
- Burlington Children's Space
- Riverside Early Learning Center: Champlain Valley Head Start
- Pine Forest Children's Center
- Full Circle Preschool
- Robin's Nest Children Center
- The Janet S. Munt Family Room
- Fletcher Free Library
- Next Generation - Burlington
- ONE Arts Community School - Burlington
- The Wild's Preschool
Are you interested in utilizing these programs in your Burlington-based childcare program? Let’s chat!