Early Childhood Focus

Learning, Early and Often

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:14:49 PST

SURROUNDED by smiling children, Governor Patrick signed a bill last month that cements the state's commitment to building a universal preschool program.

New Early Education Bill Lauded

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:24:23 PST

Gov. Deval Patrick Thursday officially signed into law An Act Relative to Early Education and Care, laying the groundwork for important advances in early childhood education.

Jehlen, Galluccio Back Universal Preschool Bill

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:07:44 PST

The Senate on Thursday reintroduced the Early Education and Care initiative including a universal pre-kindergarten program that was vetoed by former Governor Mitt Romney in 2006. The legislation seeks to improve the coordination, quality and accessibility of early education services and complete the transfer of duties of the former Office of Child Care Services to the Department of Early Education and Care.

Early Ed.: An Investment in the Massachusetts Workforce

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:37:11 PST

Ensuring that Massachusetts develops and retains a skilled, educated workforce is a concern for every business leader in the commonwealth. The recently released recommendations of Gov. Deval Patrick and his Job Readiness Task Force provide a reform-oriented vision for education in the 21st century that will help meet this need. With a strong emphasis on early education, the plan strategically focuses resources where they will generate the greatest return on investment for taxpayers, providing the double benefit of training tomorrow�s leaders while helping meet the needs of today�s parents.

Funding For Early Childhood Education in Massachusetts to Increase by $5 million

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:18:10 PST

A top education official said yesterday that early childhood education is a clear priority of the state as reflected in increased funding of a statewide pilot Universal Pre-Kindergarten program.

Child Care Funds Get Increased Monitoring

Fri, 02 May 2008 10:48:54 PST

Moving to address concerns raised by the state auditor, the state's early childhood agency has improved the monitoring of the millions of dollars in state and federal funds it distributes to child care providers, a spokesman said yesterday.

The State of Child Care

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:38:51 PST

In our three-part series, The Patriot Ledger finds that Massachusetts doesn't make the grade when it comes to the high day care costs borne by families and the lack of inspectors to ensure programs' safety and effectiveness.

Parents push for after-school options: Affordability a key issue

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:11:38 PST

METHUEN - Kathi Ingram spends close to $600 a month for a private after-school program for her two children.

Ingram, a single mother, has a well-paying full-time job, but juggling rent, utility bills and child-care costs leaves her scraping by each month.

Child care spots could disappear in proposed grant cut

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 10:09:55 PST

Staff at the YMCA have learned that their child care scholarship program, which allows free day care for low-income parents struggling to get on their feet in new jobs, will be cut in full. The program, in previous years, received $40,000 to pay for the day care slots for 15 children.

When Mom's at work ... Demand for before- and after-school child care outstripping supply

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 10:02:59 PST

After-school program thriving, set to expand

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 09:56:04 PST