Community Foundation, Town Launch Preschool Pilot Program To Support Working Families

The Community Foundation for Nantucket (CFN), in partnership with the Town of Nantucket, has announced the launch of a new "Preschool Pilot Program," designed to defray the cost of early childhood education opportunities for Nantucket families for the 2026–2027 school year.

The Community Foundation of Nantucket, a private donor, and the Nantucket Golf Club Foundation each committed $100,000 to fund the one-year pilot program intended to help working families access preschool, support local providers, and explore long-term solutions to the island’s ongoing childcare and workforce challenges.

Applications for the program are now open. Families interested in participating are encouraged to begin contacting ECC-licensed preschool providers and participating independent schools now to discuss enrollment availability, timelines, tuition, and program offerings.

“This pilot represents an important community investment in Nantucket’s children, families, workforce, and future,” said CFN executive director Sunny Daily. “We continue to hear from families, employers, and providers that access to affordable early childhood education is one of the most pressing challenges facing our island. Our hope is that this program not only provides immediate support, but also helps inform sustainable long-term solutions for Nantucket.”

The pilot program is designed to support children who are at least 2.9 years old by August 31, 2026, and enrolled full-time at participating Nantucket preschool programs. Current projections estimate that approximately 60–80 children may participate during the pilot year. The fund currently includes $300,000 in philanthropic support, with estimated assistance averaging approximately $4,000 per student, depending on final enrollment and additional community contributions.

The program was developed following ongoing community conversations about the challenges facing Nantucket families and early education providers, including affordability, staffing shortages, and limited childcare availability. CFN and the Town of Nantucket have spent the past year reviewing successful models used in several Cape towns, convening providers, employers, educators, and public sector leaders to better understand both immediate needs and long-term opportunities.

Additional program details, timelines, and application information will be shared through participating preschool providers, Town of Nantucket communications, and Community Foundation for Nantucket communications in the coming weeks.

Questions about preschool enrollment and participation should be directed to participating preschool providers. Those interested in donating to the pilot fund can do so through the Community Foundation.