On the East End, a new $3.3M childcare, recreational center

The Town of Southampton is home to a new $3.3 million childcare center.

The 7,828-square-foot new Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center’s facility sits on six acres of donated land, and aims to expand vital services for lower-income working families on the East End of Long Island.

The center has a focus on affordable child care, summer enrichment programs and a plethora of recreational activities.  The center is designed to empower families and foster social development.

“This new facility will help expand access to the high-quality child care options and educational programs families in East End and across Long Island deserve,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.

“By investing in this state-of-the-art facility, we are investing in working parents and giving them the support they need to remain in the workforce while providing their kids with academic enrichment and care,” said Hochul, who has traveled the state advocating for affordable childcare.

The center is a historically Black, community-based institution, and has aimed to serve working families for generations. It offers flexible scheduling options, workforce training, enriching after-school programs, summer and teen programs, college prep classes and a food pantry.

The new center features multiple classrooms, a computer lab, tutoring spaces, offices, additional bathrooms, community space, and a kitchen. It is designed to promote an inclusive and nurturing environment for learning, growth, and social development. With an increased capacity, the center looks to serve more children and families, strengthening the East End community by providing essential education, enrichment, child care, and support to those who need it the most.

It promotes the well-being and sustainable growth of the region. Empire State Development is supporting the new Center with a $300,000 grant, recommended by the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, reflecting New York State’s commitment to promoting social equity and expanding economic opportunities for underserved communities across the state.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said that a “thriving economy is tied to a workforce equipped with accessible child care options. The Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center’s new facility will bolster support for families and their children, contributing to a stronger local economy while supporting the vibrancy of the East End community.”

Empire State Development Board Chairman Kevin Law echoed that sentiment.

“When we support working families, we strengthen our community and regional economy,” Law said in a statement. “From enriching young minds to enabling parents to excel in their careers, the center’s new facility will nurture both the social fabric and economic potential of Long Island for generations to come.”

In a joint statement, Long Island Regional Econimic Development Co-Chairs Linda Armyn, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Bethpage Federal Credit Union and Dr. John Nader, President of Farmingdale State College, said, “It’s an honor to join Governor Hochul in commemorating this significant milestone that supports hardworking families on Long Island’s East End. Enhancing the accessibility of child care marks a momentous stride towards regional economic advancement and holds the key to uplifting both businesses and the community.”

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