D.C. Preschool Among First Stops For New U.S. Labor Secretary

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh visited Bright Start Early Care & Preschool in Washington, D.C., to tour the facility and discuss how the American Rescue Plan helps support small businesses and working parents.

Walsh, the former mayor of Boston, was confirmed as Labor Secretary by the U.S. Senate on Monday and sworn into office on Tuesday. The tour of Bright Start was one of his first visits as Labor secretary.

Walsh met with the facility’s owner and employees, along with parents as they picked up their children after work. The facility is located in northwest D.C. just off Georgia Avenue. Bright Start is planning to open a new location in D.C.'s NoMa neighborhood later this year.

Founded by Marcia St. Hilaire Finn, a registered nurse for more than 25 years, Bright Start is a nationally accredited facility that provides preschool, day care and other services for parents of children ranging from six weeks to five years old.

Bright Start, like many other small businesses, has suffered the impacts of the pandemic.

The American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, will provide child care credit increases to $3,000 per qualifying child under 18, or $3,600 for children under age 6 by the end of 2021. The payments are scheduled to start in July and are based on income from tax year 2020.