EQUITY THROUGH A COMMON START

BUILDING A RESILIENT EARLY EDUCATION SYSTEM

the pandemic exposed a crisis in early education and care which predated COVID-19, pulling back the curtain on a fragile and fragmented system. Massachusetts has one of the most expensive child-care markets in the country and relies on providers who primarily are women of color with small businesses that are struggling to survive.

Our report, When the Bough Breaks, documented the crisis and built the case that investing in early education and care is not only crucial to child development, but an urgent priority. The report and our participation in the Common Start Coalition helped to inform state government about the crisis. On July 7th, An Act to Expand Access to High Quality, Affordable Early Education passed the Massachusetts Senate and a bill proposed by the House would offer $200 million a year for the sector. On July 28th, Governor Baker signed the state’s 2023 budget, which provides $250 million in funding for early education and care.

THE DORCHESTER DAY PARADE IS A FAMILY AFFAIR, BUT THE BUDGETS OF DORCHESTER’S FAMILIES—AND THOSE OF ALL FAMILIES IN GREATER BOSTON— HAVE BEEN STRETCHED THIN BY THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE. THIS YEAR, THE BOSTON FOUNDATION INFORMED AND SUPPORTED STATELEVEL REFORMS THAT WILL IMPROVE THE ENTIRE SECTOR AND HELP TO GIVE ALL OUR CHILDREN A COMMON START (PAGE 6).