MA Dept of Early Education and Care

09/14/2026

📣 Happening Today: Learn About EEC’s Upcoming Training Pilot!

Early educators and leaders are invited to join EEC for a virtual information session on the Credential Professional Development Pathway Training Pilot.

Learn about the training format, registration process, next steps, and opportunities to provide feedback to EEC.

Choose the time that works for you:

🕐 Today at 1 p.m.
Learn more & register: https://www.mass.gov/event/information-session-credential-professional-development-pathway-training-pilot-09-14-2026

🕡 Today at 6:30 p.m.
Learn more & register: https://www.mass.gov/event/information-session-credential-professional-development-pathway-training-pilot-series-09-14-2026

Training topics this fall include professionalism, family engagement, and learning environments in early childhood settings.

Spanish information sessions and pilot trainings are coming this fall.

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09/14/2026

🌟 ECCIF Grantee Spotlight: Berkshire United Way

Through the Employer Child Care Innovation Fund (ECCIF), Berkshire United Way is piloting the Berkshire Tri-Share Program to help make child care more affordable for working families.

The pilot shares the cost of infant, toddler, and preschool care equally among families, participating employers, and ECCIF grant funding, with a focus on supporting low-income families, rural communities, and workers with nontraditional schedules. Employer partners include Greylock Federal Credit Union, TOURISTS, Porches Inn, and Hotel Downstreet.

With a $400,000 total investment through ECCIF funding and employer matching contributions, the pilot is testing an innovative approach to employer-supported child care that could help inform future efforts across Massachusetts.

We’re excited to see this partnership supporting working families in the Berkshires! 💙

🔗 Learn more about ECCIF: https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-highlights-2-million-to-expand-child-care-options-for-working-families

09/11/2026

As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11 today, we hold our loved ones a little closer and know that we are always stronger together. Your friends on Sesame Street love you and we will never forget.

Illustration by Louis Mitchell for Sesame Workshop.

09/10/2026

🏡 Creating More Child Care Options for Massachusetts Families

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is launching a new pilot to expand access to child care by allowing participating Family Child Care (FCC) programs to serve more children — creating additional child care seats across Massachusetts.

Through the FCC Capacity Pilot, EEC will work closely with participating providers to learn how expanded capacity can create more options for families while supporting educators and small business owners. Throughout the pilot, participating programs will continue to meet strong quality and safety standards, with ongoing monitoring and support from EEC.

Read the press release: https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-launches-pilot-to-expand-access-to-child-care

09/09/2026

TONIGHT!
The 9:30 Call en español and The 9:30 Call em português will return from summer break with a special, joint call featuring guest speaker Commissioner Amy Kershaw from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)!

Join co-hosts Harold A. Blanco, Paula A. Echeverri Durango, Edna Cabral AND Amy O'Leary on Wednesday, September 9 from 6:30-7:30 PM on Zoom. Excel Linguistics will provide interpretation from English to Spanish and Portuguese (and from Spanish and Portuguese to English). Don't miss out on the opportunity to hear updates directly from the Commissioner and ask questions!

How to join The 9:30 Call? Visit https://buff.ly/tBykbmd, click the orange registration button, and complete the form. You will receive an email with the Zoom link. We use the same Zoom link for ALL 9:30 calls. Everyone is welcome!

*****
¡ESTA NOCHE!
¡The 9:30 Call en español y The 9:30 Call em português regresan después de las vacaciones de verano con una llamada especial conjunta que contará con la participación de la Comisionada Amy Kershaw, del Departamento de Educación y Cuidado Temprano de Massachusetts (EEC).

Acompáñenos junto a los coanfitriones Harold A. Blanco, Paula A. Echeverri Durango, Edna Cabral y Amy O'Leary el miércoles 9 de septiembre, de 6:30 p.m. a 7:30 p.m., a través de Zoom. Excel Linguistics proporcionará interpretación del inglés al español y al portugués, así como del español y del portugués al inglés. ¡No pierda la oportunidad de recibir actualizaciones directamente de la Comisionada y hacer sus preguntas!

¿Cómo participar en The 9:30 Call? Visite https://buff.ly/tBykbmd, haga clic en el botón naranja de registro y complete el formulario. Recibirá un correo electrónico con el enlace de Zoom. Utilizamos el mismo enlace de Zoom para TODAS las llamadas de The 9:30 Call. ¡Todos son bienvenidos!

*****
HOJE À NOITE!
The 9:30 Call em espanhol e The 9:30 Call em português retornarão após as férias de verão com uma chamada especial conjunta, contando com a participação da convidada especial, a Comissária Amy Kershaw, do Departamento de Educação e Cuidados na Primeira Infância de Massachusetts (EEC)!

Junte-se aos coanfitriões Harold A. Blanco, Paula A. Echeverri Durango, Edna Cabral e Amy O'Leary na quarta-feira, 9 de setembro, das 18h30 às 19h30, pelo Zoom. A Excel Linguistics fornecerá interpretação do inglês para o espanhol e o português, bem como do espanhol e do português para o inglês. Não perca a oportunidade de receber atualizações diretamente da Comissária e fazer suas perguntas!

Como participar do The 9:30 Call? Visite https://buff.ly/tBykbmd, clique no botão laranja de inscrição e preencha o formulário. Você receberá um e-mail com o link do Zoom. Usamos o mesmo link do Zoom para TODAS as chamadas do The 9:30 Call. Todos são bem-vindos!

09/09/2026

📣 Join MassHealth Tomorrow at 2 p.m. for an Information Session on Federal Changes

MassHealth stakeholders and partners are invited to learn about upcoming federal changes to MassHealth and how the state is preparing to support members and partners through these changes.

The webinar will cover:
🔹 Which MassHealth members may be impacted
🔹 When upcoming changes will take effect
🔹 How MassHealth will communicate with affected members
🔹 Resources and statewide efforts to help members navigate the changes

📅 Thursday, September 10
⏰ 2 p.m.
💻 Virtual

Learn more and register: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/masshealth-federal-updates-and-impact

09/09/2026

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-september-9-2026-09-09-2026

09/09/2026

📢 Sign Up for an Upcoming PROTECT Act Information Session

EEC licensed and funded programs are invited to join the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants and the Attorney General’s Office for an upcoming virtual information session on the PROTECT Act.

Learn about:
🔹 The PROTECT Act and new protections in sensitive community settings
🔹 General "Know Your Rights" information
🔹 Policies and resources

📅 Tuesday, September 22 at 12 p.m.
📅 Thursday, October 1 at 6 p.m.

The PROTECT Act, signed by Governor Healey on August 5, establishes new protections related to civil law enforcement, including federal civil immigration enforcement, in sensitive community settings.

Learn more and RSVP: https://www.mass.gov/event/protect-act-info-session-09-22-2026

09/08/2026

📣 Learn About the Upcoming Credential Professional Development Pathway Training Pilot!

Early educators and program leaders are invited to join EEC for a virtual information session to learn about the upcoming training pilot, including the training format, registration process, and opportunities to provide feedback.

📅 Wednesday, September 9
⏰ 6:30–7:30 p.m.
💻 Virtual

This fall’s training topics include professionalism, family engagement, and learning environments in early childhood settings.

🔗 Register to attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Rcsl4DrhT32Evht4S-uflg

Spanish information sessions and pilot trainings are coming in Fall 2026.

09/07/2026

Our office is closed for the holiday. See you tomorrow!