Transportation issues, cell service gaps, income eligibility, and staff retention were among the key concerns discussed during a recent meeting between state education officials and Western Massachusetts child care advocates.
At the listening session held at Berkshire Community College, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler and Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, along with other state officials, sought input on how to enhance child care and early education across Massachusetts. “Many families want child care but can’t afford it,” Kershaw told The Eagle. “Many classrooms remain closed due to difficulties in recruiting and retaining teachers. Wages are too low, and benefits are limited. We know we need to make changes.”
This session was part of the 11th out of 14 planned discussions aimed at gathering information for the Early Education and Child Care Task Force’s strategy to improve affordable and effective child care statewide. Following an executive order from Governor Maura Healey in January, the state has launched a comprehensive effort to address the shortcomings in its early education and child care system. Every state department is involved in this initiative.
Despite Massachusetts’ strong reputation for K-12 education, studies have highlighted that the state ranks lower than expected in preschool funding. “We are leading in many areas, including K-12 education, and we should also be a leader in child care and early education,” Kershaw said. “It is clear that child care is a major challenge for Massachusetts workers.”
Since January’s executive order, the task force has been working on its report, collecting best practices from these listening sessions. The sessions will conclude in August, with an interim report due the same month and a Year One report to follow in December.
Tutwiler noted that these sessions aim to improve state government operations by ensuring agencies work more collaboratively. “We recognize the sector’s importance in providing families and caregivers with opportunities to pursue their professional and personal goals,” he said.
Alice Barber, a child therapist with Northampton Public Schools, highlighted the pandemic’s traumatic effects on young children. “Early childhood programs must be equipped to address mental health challenges,” Barber said, emphasizing the need for small class sizes, safe outdoor spaces, and supportive teachers, which also requires better teacher retention.
The Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative grants, one of several state funding sources for preschool programs, aim to create district-wide preschool programs across public and community-based early education and care settings.
Tamara Stephens from Childcare of the Berkshires expressed hope that state funding, which has been beneficial, would continue. She, along with others, stressed the need for better recruitment of educators. “To attract high-quality staff, child care rates need to be competitive with public schools,” Stephens said.
Sarah Lipinski, also from Child Care of the Berkshires, noted that funding for community programs had increased by only 2.7 percent over five years. “Our budget has remained the same during this period,” Lipinski said. “We spend more time seeking additional funding sources.”
Melissa Fawcett, owner of Ready Set Learn, a private pay-only child care center in Pittsfield, reported a $30,000 loss due to reduced state grant funding.
Kellie Brown, COO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Westfield, called for early education and child care workers to receive benefits comparable to those of state employees. Katherine von Haefen from Berkshire United Way highlighted the importance of skilled and consistent educators, advocating for regional solutions and criticizing the state’s current system for failing to provide basic financial stability for all educators.
“Many leave the field because their finances do not add up,” von Haefen said. “Along with challenges like transportation, affordable housing, and mental health resources, we are seeing a rise in economically disadvantaged households.”