LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- New Albany Floyd County Schools may soon be providing free or discounted child care to its employees.
The district is receiving over $200,000 from a $18 million state grant.
The grant is for employer-sponsored childcare at 64 different places across the state. It's paid for by federal relief funds left over from the pandemic.
Thirty-three employers plan to provide on-site childcare to their employees. Thirteen will offer child care tuition benefits to workers.
The remaining awardees will partner with child care centers to reserve seats for employees. It's a part of Governor Eric Holcomb’s 2023 Next Level Agenda.
He said its mobilizing employers to create child care that addresses the needs of working Hoosiers.
The new early childhood center in Floyd County is still under construction. It's back behind the Prosser Career Education Center.
A new childhood center in Floyd County, Indiana is under construction on Dec. 28, 2023. (WDRB photo)
It has two classrooms, a playground, and will hold about 40 students. High schoolers at Prosser will teach the 3 and 4 year old's alongside with certified educators.
The district has not decided how it will determine who is eligible and how much they'll be paying if at all.
They expect to have a better idea by spring break.
Prosser principal Nancy Campbell said the program will not only benefit working parents but high school students real world experience.
"We don't consider this just an investment for Prosser students, we consider this an investment for southern Indiana because we know that the need for childcare to help support our economy is essential and it's something that's lacking," Campbell said.
Also just across the river, Community Montessori is getting $50,000 for its program.
Construction is expected to wrap up by the end of March and it's expected to be ready for kids to fill up the classrooms by next school year.
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