State child care assistance boosted 5% – State House News Service
By Colin Young
Early education and care providers that accept state child care financial assistance will soon be reimbursed more for each infant, toddler and child they serve after the Board of Early Education and Care unanimously approved the Healey administration’s proposal to address rising operational costs and inequities across geography and age of children served.
Gov. Maura Healey’s office said the approval means providers across the state will start to receive at least a 5.5 percent increase to their daily per child reimbursement rate beginning next month — an increase of more than $2,000 per child on average each year. Providers will also get a one-time retroactive payment to account for the increased rates retroactive to July 1, 2023.
“An increase to the state’s level of reimbursement will have a profound effect here on the Cape. In a time when the rising cost of living is pushing young early educators out of the field, this increase will help us retain the next generation of great teachers,” Denise Graham-Reardon, executive director of children & family services at the YMCA Cape Cod, said.