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From the Desk of Neighborhood Villages
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.
Beyond the Pod: Mitigating the Impact of Climate Change on Young Children
In episode four of our hit podcast, “No One Is Coming to Save Us”, we hear from Dr. Lisa Patel, a pediatrician and associate professor at Stanford University, who discusses the physical and mental ways that climate change impacts kids.
Beyond the Pod: Addressing the Housing Crisis
Episode three of our hit podcast “No One Is Coming To Save Us” takes on the issue of housing. We hear firsthand experience from Caitlin Liversidge who became pregnant and homeless last year and has since moved through transitional housing into her own apartment with her healthy two-month-old daughter.
Beyond The Pod: Addressing Early Relational Health in Early Childhood Education
Meet Lisa Garcia, our new Director of Early Relational Health
Policy Pulse #4
In this issue, we share additional analysis on the impact of the Massachusetts state budget and gear up for the fall by looking ahead to forthcoming EEC meetings, Task Force and other reports, and events this September.
Beyond the Pod: Empowering Economic Mobility Through Early Education
The first episode in Season 4, Empowering Economic Mobility Through Early Education, explores how early education can break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
Trend of Investor-Backed Child Care Highlights Need for Public Investment in Sector
Can you imagine if Morgan Stanley owned your child’s 4th grade class? And operated it in order to make a profit? If this seems crazy to you, we agree.