There’s Good News: Sprouts Montessori of Bend awarded $719,200 state grant

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Sprouts Montessori of Bend has been awarded a $719,200 property acquisition grant to open a new licensed child care facility for infants and toddlers. The funding will support The Orchard Infant Nest on Northeast Revere Avenue in Bend.

The grant is mad possible through the Child Care Infrastructure Fund, which is administered by Business Oregon. This fund uses lottery-backed bonds authorized by the Oregon Legislature in 2023 as part of a $50 million statewide investment in child care facilities. Montessori was selected as a recipient in the third and final round of the program.

The new facility, located at 502 NE Revere Ave. in Bend, will be known as The Orchard Infant Nest, or Nido del huerto. It is designed to serve 24 infants and toddlers between the ages of 6 weeks and 24 months. The project involves property acquisition, the installation of a fenced infant play area and minor interior renovations to the existing building.

Sharon Richardson, the owner of Montessori of Bend, expressed gratitude for the state support and the chance to grow the school's offerings. "We are honored to have been chosen to receive this extraordinary support and grateful for the opportunity to expand our infant and toddler program," Richardson said.

Richardson also highlighted the school's nutritional offerings as a strong component of the new center. "We are also excited to feed more children! Our food program is a core part of our school," Richardson said. The facility plans to provide three meals and two snacks each day to the children in its care.

The center will operate as a Spanish immersion program, offering families an alternative educational environment. Operating hours are scheduled from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to accommodate various schedules. The facility will offer both flexible part-time and full-time options to meet the needs of families in Central Oregon.

The Orchard Infant Nest is scheduled to open later this spring. Families can find more information and a tentative rate sheet by visiting the Montessori website or by calling (541) 410-8045.