First Childcare Incubator Debuts In Central MA

WORCESTER, MA — A new family childcare hub has officially opened in Worcester.

The new family childcare incubator space debuted following a ribbon-cutting in Worcester on Monday, the state's Department of Early Education and Care announced.

The Family Childcare Success Project incubator will provide fully furnished educational spaces for two independent family childcare programs. By using two unused classrooms at an existing childcare center, the center provides on-site care for up to 20 children at a time.

The program, led by Seven Hills Foundation, the Guild of St. Agnes, and The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, is the first of its kind in Central Massachusetts.

It is also the second incubator in the state and is adapted from the Nurtury model in Boston. It's located at the Guild of St. Agnes, at 129 Granite St.

Inside, educators can operate businesses there for up to two years while they build a foundation and identify and prepare permanent spaces.

The incubator also provides training and resources, including support for curriculum and program planning, coaching and professional development, and help with enrollment, billing and back-office operations.

“The Family Childcare Success Project is an innovative, multi-faceted approach to addressing complex challenges in early education and care,” said Amie Shei, president and CEO of The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts. “By leveraging the expertise and resources of our partners at Seven Hills Foundation and the Guild of St. Agnes and developing new systems of support, our investments are creating the conditions for the successful growth and development of children and family childcare entrepreneurs in our community.”

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Many local and state leaders were at the ribbon-cutting on Monday, including Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, Worcester Mayor Joe Petty, Sen. Robyn Kennedy, Sen. Michael Moore, Rep. Daniel Donahue, Rep. David LeBoeuf and Rep. John Mahoney.

“The new family childcare incubator is a powerful investment in the Worcester community," Kershaw said. "By supporting local educators with the space, training, and resources they need, this partnership helps families find trusted, high-quality childcare close to home.”

The incubator can provide on-site care for up to 20 children at a time, with 10 children per space.

The project is supported by a Synergy Initiative grant from The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, which, according to the release, has invested a total of $1.1 million in the project since it began in 2024.

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