NEEDHAM
– The Board of Early Education and Care voted unanimously today to improve access to Child Care Financial Assistance. These regulation changes codify the state’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget changes to the program and achieve a key priority of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s
Gateway to Pre-K agenda
– raising income eligibility for child care financial assistance from 50% of state median income to 85% of state median income.
“We launched our ‘Gateway to Pre-K’ agenda to make child care more affordable and accessible in communities across Massachusetts. By increasing Child Care Financial Assistance eligibility, we are helping families afford care,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I’m grateful to the Legislature and the Board of Early Education and Care for their partnership. Together, Massachusetts is working to lower costs for families and ensure our hardworking providers have the support they need to deliver high-quality care.”
“Two years ago, we made significant improvements to our Child Care Financial Assistance programs that helped us to serve more kids than ever. These new regulations build on that progress, so that regardless of zip code or economic background, our youngest learners can access the high-quality education they need to succeed in school and beyond, while also supporting our local economy and communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.
Today’s approved Child Care Financial Assistance regulations include several key improvements:
- Expanded eligibility: Families with household incomes at or below 85% of the state median income will now be eligible to receive child care financial assistance, significantly broadening access for working families.
- Priority access for early childhood educators: The regulations formally codify priority access to financial assistance for staff working in early education and care programs, recognizing the critical role educators play in not only the Commonwealth’s child care system but the broader economy.
- Protection of benefits: Child Care Financial Assistance will not be counted as income in determining eligibility for other state governmental assistance programs, helping ensure families are not unintentionally disqualified from essential support services.
“We have been working to build the child care financial assistance programs that our children, families, and educators deserve. Today’s vote is another important step forward in that work, highlighting our commitment to affordable care for working families and supporting educator’s economic mobility,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to increasing affordability and accessibility and our Child Care Financial Assistance programs are one of the most important tools we have in that work,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “These changes are another step in ensuring these programs are able to reach families who need assistance and that they’re engaging with a modern, dignified system.”
“Today’s vote reflects our deep commitment to ensuring every child in Massachusetts has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their family’s income or circumstances. By expanding eligibility and strengthening access to financial assistance, we are helping more families afford the high-quality early education and care they need and deserve. This is about equity, dignity, and investing in the future of our communities,” said Paul Belsito, Chair of the Board of Early Education and Care.
“These updates represent a meaningful step toward creating a more equitable, accessible, and family-centered child care system,” said Maria Gonzalez Moeller, CEO of The Community Group and Vice-Chair of the Board of Early Education and Care. “By streamlining processes, enhancing transparency, and expanding eligibility, we are not only supporting working families, but also strengthening the foundation for every child’s early learning and development across the Commonwealth.”
The Board voted to send proposed changes out for public comment at their
February Board meeting
this year. Today’s final regulations incorporate feedback received from partners and stakeholders and will take effect on January 1, 2026. Learn more about EEC’s Child Care Financial Assistance programs at
mass.gov/CCFA
.
“I’m pleased the Board of the Department of Early Education and Care voted to update and strengthen regulations regarding childcare financial assistance. In these difficult and uncertain financial times, it’s critical to keep our social service safety net intact to scaffold families with young children. These early education and childcare programs provide much needed assistance to families experiencing homelessness and facing domestic violence, and these new regulations will allow families to continue to access other governmental assistance benefits,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
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