Mass. Senate plans vote on early education, child care access bill next week

Massachusetts senators plan to debate an early education and childcare bill next week that a top Democrat said would improve the sectors’ affordability and increase access to “high quality” teaching for the youngest in the state.

Senate President Karen Spilka rolled out legislation Thursday that would make permanent a grant program for early education and care providers, expand eligibility for a subsidy program, and boost compensation for teachers by creating a career ladder, providing scholarships, and offering loan forgiveness.

The information released by Spilka’s office did not include a cost estimate for the initiative.

Spilka said the bill, which will come up for a vote on March 14, helps provide “high-quality educational opportunities to our children from birth through adulthood, as well as our obligation to make Massachusetts affordable and equitable for our residents and competitive for employers.”

“This legislation is a tremendous step in our work to fulfill that obligation. By investing in our providers, bringing much-needed financial assistance to parents, and making sure our educators are well-compensated, we have the opportunity to get parents back to work, and open up a lifetime of opportunities and benefits for their children,” she said in a statement.

The proposal cements the Commonwealth Cares for Children grant program, which provides dollars to more than 90% of early education and care programs in Massachusetts. It also adds provisions to direct more funds to programs that serve children receiving child care subsidies and those with “high needs,” Spilka’s office said.

Spilka wants to increase eligibility for childcare subsidies to families making up to 85% of the state median income, which is $124,000 for a family of four. A career ladder created under the bill would establish “recommended salary and benefit guidelines that are commensurate with public school teachers,” according to a bill summary.

A competitive match program included in the bill would “encourage employer investment” in establishing new early education and care slots across the state, the summary said.

The proposal also sets in stone support for recruiting and offering professional development to the early education and care workforce by requiring the Department of Higher Education to “permanently administer existing scholarship and loan forgiveness programs,” according to the bill summary.

Sen. Jason Lewis, who co-chairs the Legislature’s Education Committee, said boosting access to early education is essential “for the healthy development of young children.”

“Massachusetts has consistently been a national leader in education, and now is the time for us to continue this investment by increasing access to early education and childcare for all residents,” Lewis said in a statement.

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