Advocacy

Massachusetts only state to continue funding child care stabilization grants at same level federal government did.

State sets ambitious framework for addressing one of its biggest challenges

Signed Budget Strengthens Early Education and Care

Proposal Includes $1.52 Billion For Early Education and Care, Makes C3 Grant Program Permanent

Daycare costs parents a small fortune, yet many providers still don’t even make a living wage.

The state Senate is introducing a comprehensive early education and care reform bill that will help teach our youngest learners and stabilize this crucial sector of our economy.

The C3 grant program also allows the state to collect important information about the sectoral landscape. According to state data, as Neighborhood Villages recently summarized, “50% of center-based providers and 47% of [family child care] providers reported that C3 allowed them to delay tuition increases; while 66% of center-based providers and 57% of FCC providers reported that they would increase tuition in the absence of C3 grants.”

Neighborhood Villages — a Boston-based nonprofit that advocates for solutions to the greatest challenges faced by the early education sector — applauded Governor Maura Healey for committing more than $1.6 billion in early education funding in her proposed fiscal year 2025 budget announced today.

Childcare advocates said they will be lobbying state lawmakers to keep childcare a priority as they debate and vote on Healey’s proposed state budget, which she will unveil next week.

Gayle explained the role Neighborhood Villages can play in the political realm. “Politics and budgets are a process every year. It’s up to us to really just advocate so our legislators understand the importance of our issue.”

The largest investment in childcare in American history expired this September. As Congress continues to negotiate a budget deal, the need for $16 billion in emergency childcare funding—requested by President Biden and congressional Democrats—remains top of mind for parents, early educators, childcare owners and directors, and employers across the nation.

Advocates and lawmakers are pushing for more government funding for families and child care providers in Massachusetts, warning that without it, child care centers could close and the cost for families could increase.

Of the 7,500 families in temporary shelters across the state, officials estimate the population of children younger than 5, or younger than school-age, to be around 5,000. The partnership, also comprising Neighborhood Villages, Cradles 2 Crayons and Horizons for Homeless Children, is planning a second delivery of items including “seasonally appropriate” clothing, pajamas, socks, underwear, sneakers and a hygiene kit for the spring.