Policy Pulse #17
In each issue of the Policy Pulse, we share an overview of what’s happening in Massachusetts and national child care policy and information on what you can do to take action and join the movement for a transformed early education and care system. You will also find resources, reports, and advocacy tools. In this issue we share key updates from the last Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Board Meeting, share several events in December, and update you on the reopening of the federal government and the impact on early education. Let’s dive in.
What To Know
The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Held its November Board Meeting
The Board of Massachusetts’ Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) most recently met on November 12, 2025. Important decisions about the early education and care sector are made at monthly EEC board meetings, and you can read the wrap-up here! Some highlights from the November board meeting are:
A review of EEC’s 2026-2030 Strategic Action Plan;
A discussion about the Child Care Financial Assistance Program;
A vote to approve the draft changes to the Residential Programs Regulations and conduct a public comment period: read more here!
FY26 C3 Updates: EEC Information Sessions
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) held two information sessions regarding updates to the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) operations grants program. The sessions, which took place on November 18th and 19th, were recorded. You can access them here. EEC provided an overview of new requirements for participants in the grant program.
Massachusetts Legislative Hearings
This month there were a couple legislative hearings on bills regarding early education and child care. On November 12, 2025, the Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on S.346, a bill to establish a special commission to study the funding of high-quality early education in Massachusetts. Also, on November 19, 2025, the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities heard testimony on H.215, a bill to provide children experiencing homelessness early education vouchers and referrals for early intervention screenings when they enter a shelter.
New Mexico Launches Free Universal Child Care
On November 1, 2025, New Mexico became the first US state to launch universal, free child care for all of its families! Under their universal child care program, families don’t have to pay for child care regardless of income. We applaud New Mexico for its investment in supporting children and families.
Federal Government Shutdown Ends
Congress passed a bill to continue funding the federal government at last year’s spending levels until January 30, 2026, ending the 43-day federal shutdown. The bill has carveouts for SNAP, WIC, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Congress, which will be funded until September 2026. The bill also includes provisions to reverse layoffs made during the shutdown and provide backpay for federal employees. However, it does not include health care extensions or continuations of the Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire this year, which Democrats were fighting for.
After the end of the shutdown, SNAP has returned to its normal distribution schedules and benefit levels. Also, a spokesperson for the US Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees Head Start, stated that the federal office of Head Start will expedite funding and reach out to affected Head Start programs to share when they can expect funding.
What To Do
Attend Transforming Child Care - The Impact of Operational Funding
On December 2nd at 1pm, Neighborhood Villages is holding a virtual event on operational funding as a key way to support early childhood education in the Commonwealth. We will explore this funding approach – currently in the form of Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grants – and shed light on why it’s significant, what it has accomplished so far, and what it promises to provide. Register here to attend on Zoom.
Attend Budget Breakdown
Join Neighborhood Villages and Strategies for Children on Tuesday, December 16th from 6:30pm to 7:30pm for our first Budget Breakdown of the FY2027 Budget Season. Attend this virtual event on Zoom to learn about the MA state budget process and how you can advocate for a stronger early education and care system in Fiscal Year 2027. Everyone is welcome. Interpretation from English to Spanish and Portuguese will be provided by Excel Linguistics. Please register here!
Provide Public Comment on EEC’s Residential Programs Regulations
EEC has proposed changes to the Residential Programs Regulations. There will be a public comment period from November 12, 2025 until January 12, 2026 for the public to submit comments on the proposed changes. EEC will have a virtual public comment hearing on December 17, 2025 at 3pm. You can find information on the proposed changes, how to submit oral or written testimony, and the virtual hearing here.
What’s Next
The next meeting of the EEC Board of Directors will be on December 10th at 1pm in Lynn. A full schedule of meetings as well as recordings and meeting materials can be found here. We will share a full recap of this meeting in the issue of the Policy Pulse that will come out after the meeting.
Massachusetts’ state budget season begins in January when the Governor submits her budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2027. Stay tuned for more information on each proposal and how to make your voice heard.