Gov. Reynolds announces $5M in grants to further address gaps in child care

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) - Governor Kim Reynolds has committed an additional $5 million to further expand child care and preschool program partnerships through a second round of Continuum of Care grants.

Reynolds announced the grants to further address gaps in child care on Wednesday. The grants will start during the 2026-27 academic year.

In May, Reynolds introduced a Continuum of Care grant to address gaps in child care. Continuum of Care grants offer “up to $300,000 over three years,” supporting partnerships between preschools and child care centers, according to the state release.

Over 120 applications were submitted for the first round of grants and 19 were selected for awards in July.

“The Continuum of Care grant program incentivizes child care providers and preschool programs to work together to better serve Iowa families,” said Governor Reynolds. “While preschool is widely available across the state, some children are unable to participate if programs aren’t daylong or if child care providers don’t offer transportation. These grants facilitate solutions that support working parents.”

The program provides 4-year-olds with full-day care through partnerships with preschools and child care providers. It improves school readiness through supportive staffing, extending hours of operation, and offering transportation options.