Western Massachusetts sets stable foundation for early education - MassLive
By Carolyn Robbins
Long before President Joe Biden identified the expansion of early childhood education as a component of his Build Back Better legislation, public and private education leaders in Greater Springfield had already begun to lay a foundation to make the dream of universal preschool a reality.
In 2015, with the help of a federally-funded $15 million Preschool Expansion Grant received in recognition of the city of Springfield’s commitment to provide quality early education opportunities for 3 year olds and 4 year olds, the region was on its way to keep the expansion going…
Private pre-K providers such as Head Start, Educare Springfield and Square One have been especially challenged by the COVID crisis.
Dawn DiStefano, executive director of Square One, said her agency has been able to work with the state Department of Early Education, to continue per-child reimbursements despite a decline in enrollment due to COVID-related absences.
“It has made it possible for us to hold a seat for when a child returns,” she said. “We were a really fragile business before the pandemic. The government has done a really good job of being creative and flexible with financial assistance.”