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From the Desk of Neighborhood Villages
Massachusetts’ 2025-2026 Legislative Session: What is Being Proposed for Early Education and Child Care?
The new Massachusetts’ legislative session began on January 1, 2025. While the legislative session in Massachusetts runs continuously for two years, all bills to be considered during the session must be filed in January. For this session of the state legislature, State Senators and Representatives submitted over 6500 bills.
Investing in Early Education and Child Care is key to improve the United States literacy and math scores
Last month the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released the 2024 4th and 8th grade math and reading scores. NAEP, also known as the Nation’s Report Card, is a congressionally mandated assessment given every two years to public school students in grades 4, 8, and 12.
RECAP of the February 2025 EEC Board Meeting: Vote on CCFA Regulations, C3 Program Updates, CCFA Caseloads, and New IT Portals
At Neighborhood Villages, we prioritize keeping up with the policy landscape in the early education and care field, both across the country and in Massachusetts. That includes tuning-in to the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care (“EEC Board”), to stay apprised of updates and to identify opportunities for how we can work with government and other stakeholders to improve our early education and care system.
Our 2025 Outlook: Expanding Access to High-Quality Early Education Through Practice and Policy
As we head into 2025 and an uncertain and unprecedented climate, Neighborhood Villages is as committed as ever to taking care of those who take care of young children.
Policy Pulse #8
In each issue of the Policy Pulse, you will find an overview of what’s happening with Massachusetts and national child care policy and information on what you can do to take action and join the movement for a transformed early education and care system. January brought a new federal administration, the start of the new state and federal legislative sessions, and the release of the Governor’s FY26 budget proposal.
Shifting the Conversation to Early Relational Health
At Neighborhood Villages, we believe that early childhood education programs have the potential to be powerful hubs for positive Early Relational Health (ERH).
RECAP of the January 2025 EEC Board Meeting: New Child Care Financial Assistance Rates, Introduction of the Early Educator Loan Repayment Program, and EEC’s Behavioral Health Initiatives
At Neighborhood Villages, we prioritize keeping up with the policy landscape in the early education and care field, both across the country and in Massachusetts. That includes tuning-in to the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care (“EEC Board”), to stay apprised of updates and to identify opportunities for how we can work with government and other stakeholders to improve our early education and care system.
Reflections On Our Lead Teacher Workforce Program
We heard firsthand from many wonderful educators who reflected on their experiences completing the Lead Teacher program with Neighborhood Villages’ support. Check out some of their stories, here!
Inside Learning Through Exploration: A Play-Based Toddler Learning Curriculum
In 2024, we proudly launched our free, play-based toddler learning curriculum, Learning Through Exploration, designed for educators, caregivers, and parents.
RECAP of the December 2024 EEC Board Meeting: Inter-Agency Early Education and Child Care Task Force and Options for Child Care Financial Assistance FY25 Reimbursement Rate Increases
At Neighborhood Villages, we prioritize keeping up with the policy landscape in the early education and care field, both across the country and in Massachusetts. That includes tuning-in to the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care (“EEC Board”), to stay apprised of updates and to identify opportunities for how we can work with government and other stakeholders to improve our early education and care system.
Neighborhood Villages Distributes Over 240,000 Diapers Across Massachusetts
Earlier this month, we partnered with Los Angeles-based non-profit Baby2Baby to distribute over 240,000 diapers across Massachusetts!
Policy Pulse #7
In this issue of the Policy Pulse we share recent electoral and legislative wins for early education and care and important updates from the most recent Department of Early Education and Care Board meeting.
RECAP of the November 2024 EEC Board Meeting: Budget Priorities, Literacy Launch, and Findings from Two Research Analyses on Early Childhood Education
At Neighborhood Villages, we prioritize keeping up with the policy landscape in the early education and care field, both across the country and in Massachusetts. That includes tuning-in to the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care (“EEC Board”), to stay apprised of updates and to identify opportunities for how we can work with government and other stakeholders to improve our early education and care system.
Policy Pulse #6
In this issue of the Policy Pulse we share updates on several key areas of early education and Care in Massachusetts: Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3), Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) and higher education opportunities for early educators. We also share several upcoming events and important information on registering to vote.
RECAP of the October 2024 EEC Board Meeting: Bolstering Career Pathways and a Data-Driven EEC
At Neighborhood Villages, we prioritize keeping up with the policy landscape in the early education and care field, both across the country and in Massachusetts. That includes tuning-in to the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care (“EEC Board”), to stay apprised of updates and to identify opportunities for how we can work with government and other stakeholders to improve our early education and care system.
A Look at FKO’s Groundbreaking OST Registered Apprenticeship
Out-of-school-time (OST) programs, which play an essential role during these hours, provide more than just before and after-school care – it’s an opportunity for kids to discover their passions, gain confidence, and build critical life skills.
RECAP of the September EEC Board Meeting: Looking Back at FY24 and ahead to FY25
At Neighborhood Villages, we prioritize keeping up with the policy landscape in the early education and care field, both across the country and in Massachusetts. That includes tuning-in to the monthly meetings of the Massachusetts Board of Early Education and Care (“EEC Board”), to stay apprised of updates and to identify opportunities for how we can work with government and other stakeholders to improve our early education and care system.
Policy Pulse #5
In this issue of the Policy Pulse, we're excited to share our recap of the Department of Early Education and Care's (EEC) September board meeting, provide an overview of the new policy framework and rules for the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) operations grants program, and share opportunities to get involved with Neighborhood Villages' advocacy work in the coming year.
Beyond the Pod: Closing the Opportunity Gap Starts Before Kindergarten
In our season four finale of “No One Is Coming to Save Us,” we hear from Brooke Legler, the owner of a child care center in Wisconsin, who is struggling to keep her center open despite the strong demand for it even in a state with nearly universal preschool.