SAVANNAH — Gail Phillips of Effingham County won a group start-up grant for $4,500 from Early Start Child Care Resource and Referral as a winner of a 2007 Quality Improvement mini-grant.

Awards of between $1,000 and $4,500 were given to family and group child care providers to support start-up activities or to fund specific improvements to their service delivery.

Grant funds may be used for items to improve the overall quality of the child care program. Examples of items would include playground equipment, classroom furniture and equipment and adaptive equipment for children with special needs. Funds also would include any materials or supplies needed to assist children in the learning process. Examples would include books, games, puzzles, activity kits, art materials and toys.

This is the second year the mini-grants have been awarded. Winners are selected on a competitive basis. Applicants for the Family and Group Start – Up mini-grants need to be in business for less than one year or if in the process of getting started they would need to be registered or licensed within six months of receiving the grant.

Applicants for the Family and Group Improvement mini-grants need to be currently registered or licensed, and be in substantial compliance with Child Care Licensing Rules and Regulations.

Early Start Child Care Resource and Referral of Southeast Georgia is funded, in part, by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Federal Child Care and Development Block Grant Funds.  

It is operated by the Economic Development Division of Savannah Technical Colleges with offices in Savannah and Brunswick.