‘We can’t afford not to do this.’ MA plan would drop child care costs, pay teachers more

Senate to Consider Early Education and Child Care Bill

Despite a tightening state budget picture, the Senate plans to take up a pricey early education and child care bill aimed at expanding access to education for the state’s youngest learners and making it more affordable for families. Senate President Karen Spilka emphasized the importance of taking action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Bill Details

• The bill, known as S 2619, will be put on the floor on Thursday, March 14.
• The bill calls for sustained investments in early education and child care.
• The funding for the bill will come from $1.5 billion included in this year’s state budget.
• Additional appropriations will be required in future fiscal years.

Addressing Affordability

The average annual cost for child care in Massachusetts exceeds $20,000, which poses a significant burden on families. The bill aims to make child care more affordable by gradually raising the ceiling for early education and child care subsidies. It also sets a limit on parents’ out-of-pocket fees for subsidized children.

Workforce Shortages

The bill also addresses workforce shortages in the early education and child care sector. It aims to provide better pay and benefits for early educators, establish a career ladder for them, and create a competitive grant program to encourage the establishment of new child care centers.

Potential Impact

If approved, the bill would open up access to child care subsidies for more Massachusetts families. It would also help reduce the financial burden on families and increase the number of hours parents can work. Additionally, it would provide stability for child care providers and improve the quality of programs and services for children.

Funding Challenges

Financing the early education plan will require substantial additional resources. The cost of implementing the bill’s provisions is estimated to be several billion dollars over full implementation. Possible funding sources include increased federal funding, increased state funding, and alternative measures such as requiring businesses to provide employee benefits for child care.

Benefits of Investing in Child Care

Investing in affordable child care has significant economic benefits. Inadequate access to child care costs Massachusetts $2.7 billion each year. Expanding access to affordable child care can help reduce this loss and support families in reentering the workforce.

Budget Constraints

Massachusetts is currently facing budget challenges, with below-benchmark tax collections and possible expenses for emergency family shelter. Despite these constraints, Senate President Spilka emphasizes the importance of investing in early education and child care to achieve the SDGs.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.
• Indicator 4.2.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being, by sex.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate.
• Indicator 5.4.1: Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work, by sex, age, and location.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
• Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships.

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Source: capecodtimes.com

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