Affordable Childcare
February 15, 2023
Something’s not right here. Massachusetts childcare workers play a vital role in family, community, and economic life. They ensure parents can work and help prepare young children for academic and professional careers. Nevertheless, early learning staff earn less than a living wage in the state, on...
January 3, 2023
It’s a new year and young children want to make it the best one ever, but they need your help. They don’t have a seat at the policy table, so we went to see them at the kids’ table! Here’s what they had to say. 1.) I want to be ready for kindergarten and elementary school—even adulthood Please make...
December 14, 2022
The new year brings new opportunities, says State Senator-elect, Worcester native Robyn Kennedy. Elected by First Worcester District voters to fill the seat of retiring State Senator Harriet Chandler, Kennedy is eager to tackle complex issues. In the wake of the pandemic, she believes Massachusetts...
November 10, 2022
Dear Local and Statewide Elected Officials: Congratulations on your victory November 8th. We appreciate your commitment to serving our community. We’ve been celebrating with you. Now, the work begins. Tackle these five tasks and voters of all ages will benefit. Task #1: Get schooled in the...
November 1, 2022
The alarm has been sounded. “Massachusetts,” says a recent report from Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, “is facing a perfect storm of circumstances which, if not addressed, threaten to undermine the state’s historic advantage in attracting and retaining both businesses and talent, and could...
September 1, 2022
You may have heard the news. In early August, Massachusetts raised MCAS score requirements for high school graduation. We applaud the state’s determination to graduate young people who are ready for careers and college. However, standardized testing is only part of the solution. We urge legislators...
April 6, 2022
It’s now clear to state legislators that Massachusetts’ childcare system, or lack thereof, isn’t working. Unaffordable for many families, it leaves children without high-quality learning and care, forces parents to forgo jobs and careers, and leaves businesses without staff. Early educators are severely underpaid, further destabilizing programs and undermining childhood development.
April 1, 2022
Executive Directors, Eve Gilmore (Edward Street) and Marybeth Campbell (Worcester Community Action Council) penned an article about the urgency of making high quality, affordable and accessible early education and care a reality for children and families across the Commonwealth. Now is the time...
March 17, 2022
In February, Massachusetts put in place a new early education and care fee structure for families who have “subsidized slots” in licensed programs. They had good reason to do so, say local providers.
March 14, 2022
Education Committee co-chairs, Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Alice Peisch, released the final report of the Special Legislative Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission, which outlined short, mid and long-term steps necessary to stabilize the early education and care in...
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