Sprouts Montessori of Bend is thrilled to announce that it has been selected as a recipient of a $719,200 property acquisition grant from the state’s Child Care Infrastructure Fund (CCIF). Administered by Business Oregon (the Oregon Business Development Department), the CCIF is funded through Oregon lottery-backed bonds authorized by the state Legislature in 2023, representing a $50 million statewide investment in child care facilities across three rounds of funding. Sprouts Montessori of Bend is among the final recipients of this program, receiving an award in the third and concluding round. The funding will be used to open The Orchard Infant Nest (Nido del huerto) at 502 NE Revere Ave in Bend — a new licensed child care facility that will serve 24 infants and toddlers ages 6 weeks to 24 months. Grant funds will support property acquisition, installation of a fenced infant play area, and minor interior renovations.
“We are honored to have been chosen to receive this extraordinary support, and grateful for the opportunity to expand our infant and toddler program,” said owner Sharon Richardson. “We are also excited to feed more children! Our food program is a core part of our school,” Richardson emphatically states, “and we will be serving three meals and two snacks each day at the new center.”
The Orchard Infant Nest (Nido del huerto) is a Spanish immersion program, and is due to open later this spring. The center will be open 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., offering flexible part-time and full-time scheduling to meet the diverse needs of Central Oregon families. For more information and a tentative rate sheet, families can contact Sprouts through their website www.sproutsmontessori.com or call (541) 410-8045.
About Sprouts Montessori of Bend:
Sprouts House on Watson (ages 6 weeks–18 months), and Sprouts Montessori of Bend (ages 18 months– 7 years) are owned and operated by Sharon Richardson, a passionate local early childhood educator and Korean American small business owner. Sharon holds a BA in psychology, is a credentialed public school PK-12 teacher, and certified in the Montessori method. For over thirty years, Sharon has dedicated her life to creating beautiful environments for infants, toddlers and young children. She has been providing high quality child care and education for Central Oregon families since 2019.
About Business Oregon:
Business Oregon is the state’s economic development agency. It invests in Oregon businesses, communities, and people to promote a globally competitive, diverse, and inclusive economy. The Child Care Infrastructure Fund was created to provide financial assistance for activities that support and expand child care facilities statewide. The program is administered in collaboration with the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC).
This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
