North Star Learning Centers was born from local community action during the civil rights movement to address the needs of the historically oppressed, underrepresented, and traditionally underserved cultural community in New Bedford. Frederick Douglass started a newspaper called “The North Star” in New Bedford whose purpose was not only to end slavery but promote peace and education.

Prior to their expansion project, North Star was operating its childcare program out of 3 locations that were difficult for families to access, in facilities that were outdated and inadequate to best serve their children. Their new state-of-the-art facility provides 135 early childhood education seats and includes a gross motor room, commercial kitchen, parent resource and teacher conference room, and a nature-inspired outdoor playspace. Two classrooms are run as labs in partnership with UMass Dartmouth, where best practices are developed, documented, and disseminated and new teachers will intern.

The project is part of a regional initiative, spearheaded by NorthStar, to disseminate best practices in early childhood education and integrate childcare with other community partners such as early intervention specialists, home-based day cares, social workers, and the state’s child welfare agency.

MHIC NE CDE II provided $11 million of NMTC Allocation support the project. NMTC Allocation was necessary because NorthStar relies on a mix of state and local government contracts and philanthropic fundraising that leave little room to support permanent debt. NorthStar had to secure an ARPA grant from the City, and philanthropic donations for the balance of its capital. Property & Casualty Initiative and Boston Children’s Hospital additional financing. Construction completed in November 2024. The new facility allowed NorthStar to retain 38 FTEs and hire 18 new FTEs and grow its infant and toddler ECE program from 70 seats to 135 seats.