MARLBOROUGH, MA — A Marlborough-based child care program will be allowed to serve more children through a new statewide pilot.
Moreira's Child Care & Preschool, operated by Ivana Moreira, is one of 30 programs selected for the Department of Early Education and Care's Family Child Care Capacity Pilot Program. Participants may care for up to 12 children, an increase from the current limit of 10.
The Marlborough program appears in the Central region on the state's list of pilot participants.
The pilot could create up to 60 additional child care seats across Massachusetts, Gov. Maura Healey announced on Thursday.
Programs were selected through an application process that considered licensing history, experience, staffing capacity, physical space and readiness to meet additional requirements, according to the state.
Participating providers must continue meeting state licensing requirements and comply with added conditions established for the pilot. Early Education and Care licensing staff will conduct regular visits and review program operations.
The department will also collect feedback from educators and families, monitor licensing and safety outcomes and study program operations. The findings will help state officials consider future decisions about family child care capacity, staffing, group sizes and licensing requirements.
"Families across Massachusetts need more high-quality child care options, and we're using every tool we have to create them," said Gov. Healey. "This pilot gives experienced providers the opportunity to safely serve more children while helping us learn what works and how we can continue expanding access for families across Massachusetts."
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