Neighborhood Villages Applauds Early Education Funding in House FY26 State Budget
House FY26 Budget Includes over $1.6 Billion For Early Education and Care, Including $475 Million for Child Care Operations Grants
BOSTON, MA (April 30, 2025) Neighborhood Villages — a Boston-based nonprofit that advocates for solutions to the greatest challenges faced by the early education sector — applauds the passage of the $61 billion fiscal 2026 state budget put forward by the Massachusetts House of Representatives that commits over $1.6 billion to early education and care, including $475 million for the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grant program.
It also includes more than $1 billion for the Child Care Financial Assistance program (CCFA); $4.95 million for higher education opportunities; $7.5 million for the early educators scholarship program; and $5 million for mental health services.
Lauren Kennedy, co-president of Neighborhood Villages, issued the following statement:
“At a time when we are facing funding cuts and uncertainty at the federal level, it’s more important than ever that Massachusetts safeguard the progress we’ve made in reforming our child care system and to build on that momentum. We are grateful that the House recognizes early childhood education as crucial and continues to invest in it.
“Dedicating increased fair share funds to early education and increasing CCFA funds are direct investments in our youngest learners, our educators, and our families. This funding would strengthen our economy, promote children’s development, and ensure parents can go to work.
“We commend the House for its leadership and look forward to the Senate’s consideration of these investments, which we hope will also include an essential increase in funding for the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) program. Together, we can build a healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable early education system for all.”
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About Neighborhood Villages
Neighborhood Villages, founded in 2017 by Lauren Kennedy and Sarah Muncey, is a Boston-based systems-change non-profit that advocates for early education and care policy reform and implements scalable solutions that address the biggest challenges facing providers and the families who rely on them. For more information, visit https://www.neighborhoodvillages.org/our-work.