Press Release: 6/12/2025
Healey-Driscoll Administration Highlights Universal Pre-K Progress in Sandwich at Fourth Stop of Statewide Road Show
Education Secretary Tutwiler and Early Education Commissioner Kershaw visit preschool classrooms, join local leaders in round table discussion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
6/11/2025
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Kim N. Le, Director of Communications
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Call Kim N. Le, Director of Communications at 617-823-4874
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Email Kim N. Le, Director of Communications at kim.le@mass.gov
SANDWICH — The Healey-Driscoll Administration was back on Cape Cod this week as their fourth stop of the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) Road Show. Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler and Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw visited a CPPI-supported preschool classroom at Joyful Noise Preschool and family child care program Busy Lil’ Bees and joined local leaders and educators for a round table discussion on early childhood education.
Last year, the administration announced on Cape Cod that 16 school districts were receiving $3.4 million to support their efforts to expand access to affordable high-quality preschool through CPPI and Governor Healey’s Gateway to Pre-K agenda. This expansion included $250,000 to Sandwich Public Schools in partnership with local programs like Joyful Noise Preschool. Secretary Tutwiler and Commissioner Kershaw saw the impact of these investments firsthand this week, observing a preschool classroom in action and hearing directly from educators and families about how CPPI has supported the local needs of families and providers.
“It was great to be back on Cape Cod to hear directly from our child care providers, schools and families on how CPPI has helped expand preschool access in their community,” said Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “High-quality, affordable pre-k is not just an investment in our children and families, early childhood educators, and local communities—it's a downpayment on the future success of our state.”
“Early education lays the foundation for school success and lifelong learning,” said Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “In Sandwich, we are seeing the power of strong local leadership, passionate educators, and strategic state investment working together to build a high-quality system at the local level to meet the needs of young learners and their families and educators.”
The CPPI initiative provides funding and technical assistance to cities and towns across the state to expand high-quality preschool options through a mixed-delivery model, blending public school, community-based, and family child care settings. In Sandwich, CPPI funding has enabled the district to expand classroom capacity and better support children’s transition into kindergarten.
The round table discussion included town and school officials, CPPI program staff, and educators, who shared their experiences and perspectives on what’s working and what more can be done to meet local demand for high-quality preschool. The conversation emphasized the importance of building sustainable partnerships between local districts, families, and early education providers.
“I was incredibly proud to welcome our state officials to the great town of Sandwich to see firsthand the life-changing early education programs we offer,” said State Rep. Steven Xiarhos (R-Barnstable). “Their willingness to listen and learn speaks volumes about their commitment to our children and families. These programs are vital, and continued funding is essential to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive from the very start.”
“We are remarkably grateful for the CPPI Program as it is creating meaningful connections between the Sandwich Public Schools and community-based preschools,” said Dr. Joe Maruszczak, Sandwich Public Schools Superintendent. “We are confident that these connections will pay dividends for our students as they matriculate through our schools and grade levels."
The CPPI Road Show began last month to highlight progress across the state in expanding access to preschool and to elevate the voices of communities leading this work. Sandwich marks the fourth stop in the ongoing tour, following recent visits to Somerville, Northampton, and Worcester.
“We are truly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Sandwich CPPI grant, which has allowed us to build and enhance our program through the support of the itinerant team, new materials, updated furniture, and a strengthened budget,” said Patti Gill, Program Director at Joyful Noise. “We feel honored to have been chosen for a visit from both Commissioner Kershaw and Secretary Tutwiler to highlight our preschool. Their support means the world to our community."
“I’m one of eight family child care providers in Sandwich that has had the opportunity to take part in the CCPI grant,” said Julie Coughlan, Family Child Care Provider and Owner of Busy Lil' Bees. “This grant has been made a huge positive impact to not only my program, but others the town. I had the pleasure to have the Commissioner and team stop by for a visit so they could see firsthand just some of the amazing areas this grant has benefited the children, families, and our preschool programs.”
Governor Healey’s FY26 budget and related Fair Share supplemental budget funds CPPI at $25 million for FY26, with additional funding to expand access over 3 years. The expansion would allow CPPI to reach the remaining 7 Gateway Cities not currently funded, as well as enable 12 current grantees move to full implementation. In total, funding would be available for 37 districts to continue efforts to create systemic alignment and coordination, strategic expansion, and efficient investments to make on-the-ground progress towards the goal of universal access to preschool in the Commonwealth.
EEC intends to release opportunities to apply for CPPI grants in FY26 through a staged process subject to the availability of funding. Learn more about CPPI at Mass.gov/CPPI.