MALDEN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey unveiled her administration’s new plan to increase eligibility for child care financial assistance in an announcement on Tuesday.
The program is called “Gateway to Pre-K,” and Healey unveiled the new plan at the Malden YMCA on Jan. 16.
The goal of “Gateway to Pre-K” is to make pre-school programs more affordable and accessible for four-year-olds across the state.
Healey’s new plan will expand eligibility for childcare financial assistance from 50% of the state median income up to 85%.
In a press release, the Healey administration said that the “Gateway to Pre-K” agenda will deliver “universal, high-quality preschool access for four-year-olds in all Gateway Cities by the end of 2026.”
The state government defines Gateway Cities as “municipalities with a population greater than 35,000 and less than 250,000, a median household income below the state average, and a rate of educational attainment of a bachelor’s degree or above that is below the state average.”
“We expect to reach 4,000 new low- and moderate- income families alone with just this support,” said Healey on Tuesday.
Healey explained that “we want every single four-year-old in our state to have access to affordable, high quality pre-school.”
In her speech on Tuesday, Healey also talked about the reasons behind the “Gateway to Pre-K” program.
“We know that too many parents generally have had to make a hard choice to not work – to not leave the home and work – simply because they cannot afford childcare. That’s no good for them, it’s no good for their families, it’s no good for this state and where we need to go," said Healey.
WBZ’s Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports.
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