New Early Childhood Center Coming to Grand Rapids' Boston Square Neighborhood

On Tuesday, October 8, leaders from Refugee Education Center (REC), Amplify GR, and IFF joined Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) for a tour of Boston Square Early Childhood Center (BSQ-ECC) — the new early childhood education center coming to the HUB 07 within the Boston Square neighborhood of Grand Rapids. Operated by REC, this critical resource will provide high-quality, affordable early learning opportunities to children, infant to 5 years old in the neighborhood, equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive both developmentally and socially.

Located inside HUB 07 at 1534 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, BSQ-ECC is projected to open in fall 2025 and will serve approximately 77 children. Acknowledging the importance of a significant asset like this staying in the hands of the community, IFF will act as interim owner of the facility. Additionally, IFF is serving as the developer and owner’s representative, taking on the upfront risk and enabling REC to develop programming and focus on serving the children enrolled at the center and their families before having the opportunity to assume ownership of the facility.

“This new center is designed specifically to help children learn, grow, and develop, and, paired with REC’s incredible programming, will provide more than 70 young learners with a high-quality child-care opportunity that represents a significant investment not only in the children who have the opportunity to learn there, but in the future of the neighborhood itself,” Chris Uhl, IFF executive director for the Eastern Region.

Boston Square Together, a community-focused planning process, and IFF’s 2018 report, A System for All Children: An Early Childhood Education Needs Assessment in Grand Rapids, identified early childhood education as a need and opportunity for future generations who will call Boston Square home. Since then, great efforts have been made to increase access to quality child care in the community. The BSQ-ECC is another critical step in providing more birth-to-career opportunities for Boston Square neighbors.

After a thorough and rigorous selection process led by IFF and Amplify GR, REC was chosen as the early childhood education provider for the BSQ-ECC. This partnership is deeply committed to ensuring that the growth and development of the Boston Square neighborhood remains centered on the priorities and needs of its residents.

“We are incredibly honored to be chosen as the early childhood education provider for the BSQ-ECC,” shared Refugee Education Center Executive Director Meg Derrer. “This new center represents a significant milestone in our mission to create nurturing, inclusive spaces where every child can thrive. We believe that by providing children with access to high-quality education from a young age, we are not only investing in their future but in the future of the entire Boston Square community. We are excited to collaborate with families and partners to foster an environment where every child’s potential is celebrated and supported.”

“Every community should have access to high-quality early learning spaces that match the quality of the early education program – and that’s exactly what this center will do,” said Chris Uhl, IFF executive director for the Eastern Region. “This new center is designed specifically to help children learn, grow, and develop, and, paired with REC’s incredible programming, will provide more than 70 young learners with a high-quality child-care opportunity that represents a significant investment not only in the children who have the opportunity to learn there, but in the future of the neighborhood itself.”

Approximately 50 percent of the children served by REC already live in the Boston Square neighborhood and surrounding areas, and the opening of the BSQ-ECC represents a significant step forward in ensuring accessible, quality education for all residents.

Learn more about the BSQ-ECC at www.bsq-ecc.org.

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