An affordable housing developer from Pennsylvania has stepped into the child care gap with a model that asks employers to collectively fund new facilities — and the idea just earned national recognition. The approach, called Jump the Curve, was honored at the 2026 TOOTRiS WINGS Summit, where it stood out among hundreds of applicants for its novel twist on employer-sponsored care.
The framework pools employer investment to expand nearby Child Care facilities and support the professionals who staff them
Valley National Realty took home an Honorable Mention at the 2026 TOOTRiS WINGS Summit for its Jump the Curve framework, which brings employers together to invest in nearby child care facilities while boosting independent providers and the early childhood workforce.
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Sebastian Holbrook presented the model before 300 child care leaders and industry partners at the summit. Drawing on the team’s affordable housing development experience in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, Jump the Curve proposes a shared-investment strategy for expanding local child care capacity.
“We believe that no stakeholder in the Child Care equation should benefit at the expense of others,” Holbrook told attendees.
Here’s how the model works: employers pool capital through a partnership that acquires and renovates or builds a facility close to their workplaces. Valley National Realty manages the project, while an independent child care provider leases and operates the space. Employers expand care options for their workers without becoming providers themselves, and providers get access to modern facilities without the burden of financing a purchase or construction.
A key piece of Jump the Curve is the Provider-Employer Benefits Bridge, which sets aside part of the investment for child care professionals’ health, wellness, training, and career growth. That helps providers attract and keep qualified staff in a field known for high turnover.
The model was designed with the expanded federal Section 45F employer child care tax credit in mind. The credit helps offset employers’ qualifying costs for providing child care support to employees. Eligible employers who invest in their employees’ child care may claim a Section 45F tax credit of 50% of their expenditures up to $600,000 per year, including all eligible Jump the Curve expenses.
“When these stakeholders are uplifted in a system that recognizes their equivalent importance, we can provide the future of our communities with the care that they deserve now,” Holbrook said.
“Some of the best ideas in Child Care start with people solving a problem in their own community. We love seeing that innovation, and we appreciate Valley National Realty bringing Jump the Curve to WINGS,” said Alessandra Lezama, CEO of TOOTRiS. “When leaders share what they’re building and learning, the entire Child Care community benefits.”
The WINGS Awards selected six finalists from nationwide applications to present their approaches before attendees voted for the winners. More than $10,000 in funding and support was distributed across the program.
Held September 14–16 at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa, the 2026 TOOTRiS WINGS Summit gathered leaders from more than 40 states and Washington, D.C. to share child care solutions.
About Valley National Realty
For over three decades, Valley National Realty (VNR) has owned, developed, and managed real estate across the Lehigh Valley. Today, VNR pairs commercial real estate expertise with innovative child care development solutions to help businesses, families, and communities flourish. Through its Jump the Curve model, VNR provides a comprehensive, 45F-eligible approach by leveraging the Valley National Group of companies’ expertise to manage every stage of development. To reach Sebastian Holbrook: email sholbrook@valleynationalgroup.com or call (610) 947-0483.
About TOOTRiS
TOOTRiS is the nation’s largest Child Care platform that partners with employers, providers, government agencies, and Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) organizations to strengthen local Child Care ecosystems, amplify the impact of community-based initiatives, and make care more accessible, equitable, and sustainable — empowering parents, supporting providers, and fueling economic growth. Learn more at tootris.com.
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Why it matters: With child care costs straining families and providers struggling to stay afloat, Jump the Curve offers a private-sector blueprint that could be replicated in other regions. If the model gains traction, it could shift how employers view child care — from a perk to a shared community investment with tangible tax benefits.
