Massachusetts Senate eyeing early education, child care proposal

Boston Herald - 3/6/2024

Senate President Karen Spilka plans to announce Thursday an early education and childcare proposal during a tour of a childcare center in Malden, according to an event advisory.

Spilka and Sen. Jason Lewis, who co-chairs the Legislature’s Education Committee, are scheduled to tour the Action for Boston Community Development childcare center in Malden alongside ABCD CEO Amy O’Leary, the advisory said.

Spilka and Lewis will announce during the visit the Senate’s “next steps to transform Massachusetts’ early education and care system. They will be joined by several Senators, including members of the Joint Committee on Education,” the advisory said.

“The Senate President and members will hold a press conference and take questions from members of the media, followed by a tour of the facility that is open to press,” the advisory said.

Senate Democrats held an hours-long private meeting Wednesday where members could have discussed a potential proposal.

Spilka has long focused on child care and early education reforms.