PITTSFORD, Vt. (WCAX) – New child care opportunities are on the way for Rutland County families. But even as more parents become eligible for state subsidies approved two years ago, educator retention and open slots for kids remain a concern.
The Pittsford Village Farm has filled many uses over the years.
“It has been a farm, it’s been a health clinic, it’s been the home to a number of people,” said Lorrie Byrom, chair of the farm’s board of directors.
And now it’s time for another refresh. The 150-acre farm near the center of town was recently gifted to benefit the town’s future.
“The Pittsford Village Farm’s repurposing is only going to enhance that sense of center that we look to build,” Byrom said.
Renovations are underway to turn the 18th-century building into a community center. The farm’s board plans to lease out space for an early child care space, meaning more opportunities for Rutland County families to access child care.
“The needs of child care in the town of Pittsford and in the county that we live in and in the state bubbled up as something we could really help with,” Byrom said.
It’s happening with the help of the Rutland County Parent Child Center. “Pittsford hasn’t had an established center-based child care for many years now so we’re really excited to partner with the Pittsford community to be able to bring this to them,” said the center’s Stephanie Carvey, who says they have been looking to expand access throughout the county. “Although this might be a small drop in the bucket, it’s gonna be a big drop to the Pittsford community who’ve had to travel excessive lengths to find, retain child care.”
“That’s going to benefit the kids, it’s gonna benefit the family, it’s going to benefit our state overall, but we still have a lot of work to do,” Carvey said.
The Pittsford Village Farm’s board says the groundbreaking for the community center and child care center is expected in the spring with an expected opening in 2026.