The QFA Grants Program provides grants of up to $50,000 to early childhood education providers to expand infant-toddler capacity and/or enhance facility quality in these key areas: indoor air quality, temperature, ventilation, noise reduction, optimal lighting, and quality classroom furniture.
The program also includes an eight-week professional and leadership development workshop series that focuses on enhancing provider knowledge on creating and maintaining high-quality facilities and developing sustainable financial practices. In 2022, the QFA Grant & Professional Development Program focused on East St. Louis District 189. More communities will be included in 2023.
For Hope Johnson, director and owner of Kids of Hope Child Development Center, the changes from QFA were immediately apparent. “Even walking in, it’s a different feel. When people come in off the street they are amazed; they say how nice it is. The floors and dimming lights are cozy. The overall feel is 100% better than it was before. The light is shining through the room; the kids are happier. It’s a better environment.” The repainted center brought a new, more tranquil energy to her space for the children. “I had bright colors; now it’s calm. The kids aren’t as hyper. It’s more laid back. The paint, flooring, dimming — its all calm. The kids are so much happier, and the parents love it. People come for a tour, and I am really proud.”
“The teachers took great pride in the updated space,” reflects Aimee Hart, executive director of Uni-Pres Kindercottage. “When we give tours to families, which are really important, we talk about the lights and windows. We see the impact in prospective parents.” Among other work, the center had its walls repainted and its lighting re-done, with impact on both staff and children. “For the staff, resetting the lights, clean floor, soft colors — it made a big difference. We aren’t learning off the walls; we are learning from books and the teachers’ instructions. The pictures are more noticeable on the wall too. It all makes a difference for the teachers, being comfortable in a cozy space, and feeling comfortable in our own environment.” One particular corner, with new furnishings, has provided Uni-Pres’s infants endless entertainment. “My babies love the window. We brought these two stuffed logs that they can sit on, and they sit and watch the window. They love to watch the rain especially. They are learning. We talk about the cars, birds, squirrels, whatever they see.”
Debra Hamilton Tidwell, director and owner of Hamilton’s Learning Center, saw an immediate difference in the way her center’s infants were able to interact with the outside world through the center’s new outdoor play area. “Well, the babies love it! It is so funny how they get down. The surface is so soft; it’s like they are in the indoors.” The new play area has opened up a new space for growth. “It allowed them to explore. There’s a lot of things that they can do inside that they can do better outside. The new play area has enhanced their experience tremendously. It’s great to see little people climb, and you don’t have to worry about them falling. And the music stand — they light up! At first, they were afraid of the music, and now they love to do it themselves. It’s amazing to see them excited about something new.”
