Massachusetts governor unveils plan aimed at improving access to child care, early education

BOSTON — Parents across Massachusetts, and particularly in the state’s former industrial “Gateway Cities,” would have better access to child care and early education under a plan unveiled Tuesday by Democratic Gov. Healey’s proposal would also help an additional 4,000 low-and moderate-income families afford child care by increasing eligibility for Child Fare Financial Assistance — the state’s child care financial assistance programs to help families pay for child care and out-of-school time programs. Healey also plans to announce she will continue the state’s Commonwealth Cares for Children grants, which also help pay for programs aimed at improving quality and hiring more staff to create more classrooms where families can enroll their children in child care. Healey will also use her address to announce she also plans to sign an executive order recognizing what she said is the “essential role child care plays in driving the state’s economy and competitiveness forward.” The governor said the executive order will bring together teams with experience in housing, child care, education, economic development, health care and human services with members of the business community to develop ways to expand access, build new child care facilities and reduce costs for families.