MA Dept of Early Education and Care

06/19/2026

Our office is closed for the holiday. See you on Monday!

06/18/2026

06/17/2026

The June issue of our newsletter is now available! 📰

Published every other month, our newsletter keeps you up to date on the latest agency announcements and updates, important reminders, upcoming events, research, and celebrations from across the early education and care community.

🗺️ To better serve our communities, the newsletter is available in English, Simplified Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Read the June 2026 edition here: https://bit.ly/4xC0DUn

06/17/2026

Interested in advancing your career in early childhood education? Join us tonight at 7:00 p.m. for an Early Childhood Educator Scholarship Information Session!

Learn about Career Pathways and the Early Childhood Educator Scholarship, including eligibility requirements, the application process, and available financial assistance for those pursuing a certificate, associate, bachelor's, or master's degree in early childhood education. The session will conclude with a Q&A.

This session is intended for current and aspiring early childhood educators seeking financial support to continue their education.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd49H0eeJRlGRoNW4qutJapP3xhfFjRZQubxhH3ZAZihGxuSQ/viewform

06/17/2026

Looking for resources to support children's eye health? 👀

Children's Vision Massachusetts offers free downloadable resources in multiple languages for parents, caregivers, health care providers, and educators. Their materials cover a range of topics related to children's vision and include resources specifically designed for early education and care programs.

Learn more and access the resources:

CVMA RESOURCES FOR DOWNLOADING CVMA offers many resources in many languages for parents, caregivers, healthcare providers and educators. We hope that you will find these downloadable resources helpful in navigating your child’s sight. We hope that you might consider a donation to CVMA so that we c...

06/13/2026

Commissioner Amy Kershaw was honored to join Senate President Karen E. Spilka, Senator Ed Markey, Congressman Jim McGovern, MetroWest YMCA leadership, Russ Hoyt, and community members in Ashland yesterday for the groundbreaking of the Regional Early Learning Center at the new Team Hoyt Community YMCA. 🏗️💙

This milestone represents not only a new facility, but also the Hoyt family’s enduring legacy of inclusion, opportunity, and belonging for all. The new early learning center will create meaningful opportunities for children and families across the MetroWest region by expanding access to high-quality early education and supporting economic mobility for families. Congratulations to all who are helping make this vision a reality. 🎉

06/12/2026

Yesterday, Massachusetts Head Start Association Collaboration Office Director Amy Whitehead-Pleaux joined Education Secretary Steve Zrike for a visit to Churchill Head Start Program in Holyoke.

The visit provided an opportunity to tour classrooms, connect with educators, and hear firsthand about the challenges Head Start programs are facing during these uncertain times. We are grateful for the dedication of the educators and staff who support children and families every day. ❤️

06/10/2026

The Board of Early Education and Care meets at 1 p.m. today 👉

💻 Livestream: https://www.youtube.com//streams
🧾 Agenda and materials: https://www.mass.gov/event/board-of-early-education-and-care-meeting-wednesday-june-10-2026-06-10-2026

06/09/2026

🚨 Consumer Alert for Child Care Providers

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning providers about scammers posing as parents seeking immediate child care. Fraudsters may send a check for more than the agreed amount and then ask for the "overpayment" to be returned. The original check is fraudulent, leaving providers responsible for the lost funds.

Learn how to spot the warning signs and protect yourself from this scam: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/05/fake-check-scam-targets-childcare-providers

06/09/2026

Summer is a time for fun, but it's also important to take steps to keep young children safe. ☀️🛟🚲

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has shared summer safety guidance, including tips on water and pool safety, preventing tick and mosquito bites, staying safe in extreme heat, car and window safety, helmet use, food safety, and more.

Learn how you can help keep children safe and healthy all summer long: https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-department-of-public-health-offers-summer-safety-guidance-2