SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) students with young children now have access to a new Holyoke-Chicopee-Springfield (HCS) Head Start program on campus. The multiservice agency, known for providing affordable child care across Greater Springfield, has launched a preschool and infant care facility at the college.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Monday to unveil the new center, which is available not only to STCC students but also to the broader community.
“It’s two-fold,” said HCS Head Start CEO Nicole Blais. “We’re here to offer child care for students, helping them focus on completing their studies by removing child care as a barrier. At the same time, we aim to strengthen the early education and care workforce.”
Blais highlighted the increasing demand for child care professionals, as many workers have left the field in recent years.
In addition to supporting parents, the on-campus program will provide STCC students with practical training in child development, offering hands-on experience for those pursuing careers in early education.
“When you’re in school, you’re thinking about your future career,” Blais explained. “We want to make it as easy as possible to give you real-world teaching experience with this age group, and create a clear path to employment.”
HCS Head Start is also actively recruiting for teaching positions. Interested students and families can learn more or sign up through the organization’s website.
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