Joyful Noise, Inc. Child Care

Happy Friday friends. Remember that when you're dropping off your child each day, you're not leaving them with "just a babysitter." You're leaving them with an educator.
Childcare providers nurture, teach, encourage, comfort, and help lay the foundation for a child's future. They celebrate milestones, support emotional growth, and create safe, loving environments where children can learn and thrive.✨

Childcare Provider, Early Childhood Educators, Daycare Providers, Elementary School teachers, are all one of the same, respect between us, and respect for us is all that we need. (And better pay 😁)

We are pleased to share our 2026 Legislative Wrap-Up! This highlights legislative victories for children and summarizes selected laws and budget appropriations in the areas of economic well-being, early learning and development, education, health, and safety that were considered during the 2026 session of the Rhode Island General Assembly.

We hope this is a helpful resource as you continue your work on behalf of Rhode Island's children and families.

Please see the full Legislative Wrap-Up for a detailed summary of legislation and budget items affecting children and families. Below is an overview of victories for Rhode Island children and families in the 2026 Legislative Session:

Economic Well-Being

Rhode Island’s first permanent, refundable Child Tax Credit established.*
Increase in child support pass-through for families participating in RI Works.+

Early Learning & Development

Child Care Assistance Program eligibility expanded to serve families with incomes up to 285% FPL.*
Infant reimbursement rates for center-based providers increased by 5%.*
The Child Care for Child Care Educators program extended until 2030.*
Early Intervention rates were increased, and young children can now continue to receive services until the September 1st after their third birthday to provide continuity for children moving into preschool special education.*
Additional state funds provided for family home visiting programs so state can draw down full federal match.*

Education

Legislation passed to create a special joint legislative commission to make a comprehensive study of Rhode Island's education funding formula.
The student success factor in the education funding formula was increased from 40% to 43%, providing more funding for low-income students.
Funding to expand dual language education programs and increase the number of bilingual dual language and world language educators.
Rhode Island Hope Scholarship Pilot Program, which provides two years of free tuition at RIC, extended through 2033.
$100,000 allocated to the Rhode Island Afterschool Network for out-of-school time programs.^

Health

$1.2 million allocated to sustain both the MomsPRN and PediPRN programs.*
Mobile Response Stabilization Services formally established to provide rapid crisis response and short-term stabilization services to children and youth
under age 21.
Vaccine access protected.
$22 million for a premium subsidy program to help individuals who purchase health insurance through HealthSource RI.

Safety

The FY 2027 budget requires DCYF to conserve all benefits for a child in foster care receiving SS, SSI, veterans’ benefits or railroad retirement benefits.
Legislation passed to create a special legislative study commission to study current practices of Juvenile Hearing Boards and make recommendations for revisions to state law.

+ Raising RI Coalition priority. Please see raisingri.org
*RIght from the Start Campaign priority. Please see rightfromthestartri.org 
^RI Afterschool Network priority. Please see riafterschool.org 
~Anti-Racist Education Policy Collaborative priority. Please see rikidscount.org/education

Rhode Island KIDS COUNT advances equitable policies that improve the lives of all Rhode Island children and eliminate disparities through the power of data, advocacy, and civic action. www.rikidscount.org

📢 Important Update for Families
Due to unexpected plumbing issues, Joyful Noise Early Learning Center will be closed tomorrow.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Our School Age Program will remain OPEN and will operate on its normal schedule.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support!

Water time! The more you know 🏊‍♀️🩱🩳

While swimsuit color may seem like just a fashion decision, it can actually affect how visible your child is in the water and help keep them safe. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children.

Small steps, like choosing the right swimsuit color, can make a big difference. Stay safe this summer and save this graphic for your next shopping trip.

🎉HAPPY 250th BIRTHDAY, AMERICA! 🇺🇸
Wishing everyone a fun, safe, and memorable celebration as we honor America's 250th birthday. Enjoy the festivities, make wonderful memories, and celebrate responsibly!
Happy 250th Birthday, America!
From all of us at Joyful Noise ❤️🤍💙

💥REMINDER💥
Joyful Noise is closed today, Friday June 3rd in observation of the 4th of July, Independence Day 🎆🎇