The Massachusetts Senate passes a groundbreaking early education bill

Last week, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed a bill that would — if it becomes law — transform early education and care by lowering the cost for families and raising the painfully low salaries of educators and providers.

The EARLY ED Act would strengthen the early childhood system “by making the state’s Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) operational grant program permanent, expanding eligibility for the state’s subsidy program and capping subsidy recipients’ childcare costs at 7 percent of family income, and boosting compensation for educators by creating a career ladder and providing scholarships and loan forgiveness,” a Senate press release explains.

“An equitable and competitive Commonwealth is one in which every child and family has access to affordable quality early education,” Senate President Karen Spilka says in the release.

Amy O’Leary, the executive director of Strategies for Children, adds, “On this incredible day, I am reflecting on decades of advocacy, multi-year campaigns spanning several legislative sessions, policy development and progress based on brain development and economic research, a global pandemic, the incredible response from thousands of early educators across Massachusetts, and how we have worked together to stabilize, heal and transform as a community.”

The impact of the proposed legislation would be felt across the state and across family income levels.

“Currently, a family of four would need an income below $73,000 — half the state’s median income — to qualify for a child care subsidy. The bill would raise that threshold to $124,000, or 85% of the median income. The bill also envisions further expansions if funding is made available,” WGBH reports.

This support is crucial because of the high cost of early childhood programs. As Massachusetts Senator Jason Lewis’ office explains in a press release:

“Massachusetts is one of the most expensive states for early education and childcare. The average annual cost of care is $21,000 for an infant; $19,000 for a toddler; and $15,000 for a preschooler. Many families are paying as much as 20-40% of their household income for child care. Besides the high cost, families also face other barriers, including lack of available slots at their preferred providers, hours of available care, transportation challenges, and more.”

The bill’s provision to increase salaries is crucial for the field. Boston.com points to the reaction of one early educator, noting:

“Alejandra De La Cruz, 34, a toddler teacher at Ellis Early Learning in Boston’s South End neighborhood, said she loves her job. But she said the center struggles to keep classrooms open because it’s hard to fill teacher vacancies.

“ ‘I cannot blame them for leaving. They deserve to earn a proper living,’ said De La Cruz, who has worked at the center for three years.

“ ‘I look forward to a time when my salary meets the basic needs of my family including living much closer to where I work, buying healthier groceries and maybe even treating my family to a dinner at a restaurant once in a while,’ she added.”

What’s next? In an email, Senator Lewis says, “The EARLY ED Act has passed in the Senate but still has a long way to go as it continues through the legislative process. I encourage you to reach out to your representative in the House of Representatives to advocate for them to act swiftly to increase access to high-quality, affordable early education and care.”

“I look forward to hopefully taking this legislation across the finish line and seeing it signed into law by Governor Healey before the end of the legislative session.”

Please help move this legislation along by reaching out to your Massachusetts representatives and asking them to take up the EARLY ED Act and pass it. This will help Massachusetts build a stronger early childhood system that families can afford – and that pays providers enough to support their own families.