The Vineyard Montessori School (VMS) Toddler classrooms have been full since the doors opened in the Fall of 2021 and maintain a waitlist. That same year, VMS became the Island’s largest provider of early childhood care and education. The two Toddler classrooms offer 18 children between the ages of 15 months and 3 years old an incredibly rich experience and working families a safe and wonderful placement for their child. Our data indicates that this addition has made a difference and is incredibly successful. The success can be measured in not only its ability to stay full with 18 children daily, but in addition with its "feeding" the preschool classrooms. This stream has prompted VMS to acquire an increased licensing capacity of 78 early childhood care and education slots. This has made a difference Island-wide, and we are thankful for the role that MVYouth played in supporting this expansion. We are now looking to the future! VMS is actively pursuing grants specifically designated for VMS Equitable Access, providing tuition assistance to working families. Childcare issues are workforce issues. When people don’t have access to affordable childcare, they can’t go to work, and when they can’t go to work, our local economies suffer. It’s that simple, and that’s why VMS is making childcare accessible. VMS has also launched the Campaign for Equitable Access to Education: Building Tomorrow Now. This campaign will increase toddler and preschool capacity Island-wide; build a cohesive, vibrant campus with healthy facilities; and generate staff housing. VMS knows there is not enough early education & care available on Martha’s Vineyard, and is positioned to answer the call. By 2025, VMS will have created 30 new spots, for a total of 108 spaces — closing the Vineyard gap by 65%.