Healey-Driscoll Administration Holding Regional Childcare Listening Sessions

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration announced a series of listening sessions across Massachusetts to inform the Early Education and Child Care Task Force’s recommendations and broader strategy to ensure accessible and affordable high-quality childcare for all families. These listening sessions, taking place throughout July and early August, are part of the administration’s Early Education and Child Care Task Force.

“Today marks an important step in our mission to ensure every child in Massachusetts has access to high-quality, affordable early education and care,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “By hosting these listening sessions, we are opening a crucial dialogue with our communities to gather valuable insights and craft recommendations that reflect the needs and aspirations of our families and childcare providers. We are dedicated to building a foundation where every child has the opportunity to thrive.”

The Task Force is hosting 12 listening sessions, including seven regional in-person sessions and five virtual sessions, of which one will be led in Spanish. These listening sessions will engage working parents and caregivers, educational and business leaders, childcare providers, and the larger communities. Feedback from the sessions focuses on the task force’s five key policy objectives, including reducing costs, increasing capacity, and improving quality of childcare in Massachusetts.

Visit mass.gov/childcaretaskforce for a list of listening session locations, dates, and times, and to register and provide input.

“Education doesn’t start at kindergarten — it starts at birth,” Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler said. “The Healey-Driscoll administration is committed to utilizing all tools available to ensure our youngest learners receive the highest-quality education they deserve, setting them up for school and lifetime success. Engaging directly with communities through these listening sessions will enable us to better understand and address the challenges and opportunities within early education and care.”