How should Massachusetts reopen its early education and care programs?

By being responsive to the new needs that parents and employers have in a COVID-19 world.

That’s why Strategies for Children and 38 other organizations have submitted a letter to Governor Charlie Baker’s Reopening Advisory Board, which is actively seeking public feedback as it develops a plan “to reopen the economy in phases based on health and safety metrics.”

As our letter explains, taking careful next steps is essential.

“As you develop recommendations for how best to re-boot economic recovery in Massachusetts,” the letter says, “we ask that you include an intentional focus on reopening and strengthening the child care sector. No recovery will be successful if employees and working families do not have access to safe, affordable, high-quality child care for their children.”

The letter also points to the business sector’s support for child care, explaining:

“The importance of child care as a critical enabler for economic recovery and growth has been acknowledged by leading business groups and influencers including the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, the Massachusetts High Technology Council, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and the Boston Business Journal. At the national level supporters of child care include the Business Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Enterprise Institute, FEMA, and the CDC.”

The letter goes on to explain looming logistical challenges, among them:

“Social distancing requirements set by public health officials will impact enrollment thresholds, resulting in significantly reduced capacity and higher operating costs. Without a focused and intentional plan for how child care providers can support back-to-work policies and guidelines, employee productivity and broader economic recovery will be in jeopardy.”

In addition, the letter asks that the reopening board add a child care provider or representative to its ranks. Or, if this isn’t possible, the board could form a sub-committee focused on child care that includes early education, after school programs, and summertime camp and enrichment programs.

As the reopening board does its work, the letter adds, it is crucial to incorporate the feedback it has received from the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).

EEC wisely calls for developing new safety protocols; aligning the reopening of businesses with the opening of early childhood programs; streamlining mechanisms to rehire, recruit, and retain staff; and creating a financing system that lets programs run viably even if public health protocols prevent them from reaching full enrichment.

Please join us in this outreach by sharing your feedback with the Reopening Advisory Board. Submit your experiences and suggestions. To be effective, public policy should be informed by thoughtful, forward-looking members of the public.

For more information on this effort, contact Amy O’Leary, Strategies’ Early Education for All Campaign Director, at aoleary@strategiesforchildren.org.