Press Release: 8/22/2025
Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $20 Million to 30 School Districts for Affordable Preschool Access
New state data finds Governor Healey’s universal pre-k program is serving children with diverse backgrounds and needs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
8/21/2025
MEDIA CONTACT
Karissa Hand, Press Secretary
Phone
Call Karissa Hand, Press Secretary at 617-725-4025
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that 30 school districts, in partnership with over 100 community-based preschool programs, will receive a total of $20.3 million in Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) grants to expand access to high-quality, affordable preschool for children and families across Massachusetts. These grants maintain the state’s expanded access to high-quality preschool, supporting approximately 220 preschool classrooms and 3,200 seats for children across public schools, family child care, YMCAs, Head Start, and other community-based preschool programs.
New data analysis from the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) finds that CPPI-funded classrooms generally serve children with diverse backgrounds and needs, including that just under two thirds of CPPI enrolled children are students of color and just under a third are English Learners. In addition, about one-quarter of children receive early intervention or special education services and about one third are in an early education program for the first time. A large portion of CPPI programs operate in communities with fewer resources available for children and families, as defined by the Child Opportunity Index. Through Governor Healey’s ‘Gateway to Pre-K’ agenda, the administration has expanded CPPI to serve more than three times the number of children compared to two years earlier, with a focus in Gateway Cities and rural communities.
“We know that far too many parents are being held back from returning to the workforce because of the daunting cost of child care. That’s why we have been focused on expanding access to universal pre-k through our schools and community-based programs across the state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Access to high-quality pre-k helps close learning gaps before students enter kindergarten, leveling the playfield and setting children up for success in school. I am grateful to the Legislature for their partnership in this year’s budget, and our administration is committed to building on this progress and working toward expanding access to child care and pre-k in more communities.”
“As a former Mayor, I know how important access to high-quality preschool is for children, families, businesses and communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This new data shows that our pre-k expansion in cities and towns where families are more likely to face gaps in access is having an impact – reaching children who need it the most.”
CPPI establishes a district–wide preschool program across classes in public and community-based preschool programs, leveling the playing field for kindergarten readiness and promoting equitable access to special education. Through CPPI funding, participating families can enroll in a preschool classroom at no or low cost. Funding may also be used to provide full day/full year services to families who need it. CPPI further helps communities coordinate, intentionally align, and strengthen curriculum, policies, assessments, professional development and job-embedded supports for educators across settings. For example, community-based preschool programs in Pittsfield through their CPPI partnership can access evidence-based early literacy instruction and materials through the administration’s Literacy Launch PRISM II grants.
The administration has been on a CPPI roadshow, visiting Framingham, Somerville, Northampton, Worcester and Sandwich to highlight innovative local universal preschool programs, with more visits planned for this fall. In Somerville, a full itinerant team provides multi-tiered supports at all CPPI programs and support for Individualized Education Plans occurs wherever children are enrolled, to educational disruptions for students. And in Northampton, mental health consultants provide parents and classroom teachers with guidance, behavioral health supports and connections to services.
“Education doesn’t start at kindergarten – it starts at birth. Expanding access to early education and care is foundational to the rest of our education work and closing opportunity gaps. We know that universal pre-k is essential to improving literacy skills of our students, addressing mental health needs and setting students with disabilities up for success,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “It has been wonderful to visit CPPI programs across the state and I look forward to continuing the roadshow this fall and maintaining our commitment to affordable, accessible pre-k.”
“These sustained investments in CPPI continue the Administration’s innovative approach to universally accessible preschool,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “Across the state we are building lasting partnerships between School Districts and community-based child care programs to ensure that families have access to the choices and programs that meet their needs, while knowing their children are gaining the foundational skills, knowledge and experiences to prepare them for school and life success.”
“These investments set up our youngest learners to have the best possible start to their education,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “Access to early education prepares students for success in the K-12 journey and beyond.”
The CPPI program has been instrumental in helping communities develop and sustain mixed-delivery preschool systems, offering families a range of options that meet their needs, whether in public school classrooms or community-based settings. This funding supports initiatives such as expanding full-day preschool seats, improving educator training, and strengthening family outreach to ensure that more children are ready for school success.
“Every child in Massachusetts deserves access to high-quality early education, no matter their background or zip code,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Today’s investments will help set children up for success from their very first days in school, support working families, and provide critical resources to the school districts receiving grants. I’m proud that the Senate prioritized CPPI in our budget, and I'm grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for swiftly distributing this funding for such an important priority.”
“I’m thrilled the Healey-Driscoll administration, in partnership with the Legislature, has expanded access to high quality preschool for underserved children and families in the Commonwealth. The aptly named “Gateway to Pre-K” offers so many critical learning and social interaction opportunities and will enhance the skill sets for young children across the state. With the school year right around the corner, these 3,200 seats will have an immediate and lasting impact for these children and their families,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
“Access to high-quality, affordable early education and child care is essential for the healthy development of young children, as well as for the economic well-being of working families and employers in the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “These grants will support thousands of families in Massachusetts and help provide a high-quality preschool experience for children at this critical age in their development.”
"The Commonwealth continues to uphold its commitment to expanding access to early education and care" said State Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “These CPPI grants help ensure more of our young learners can benefit from high-quality preschool supporting, not only their development, but also their families and the broader economy.”
FY26 Early Implementation Grantees:
- Chicopee Public Schools: $250,000
- Fitchburg Public Schools: $250,000
- Gateway Regional School District: $250,000
- Pittsfield Public Schools: $250,000
- Quincy Public Schools: $250,000
- Taunton Public Schools: $250,000
- Wareham Public Schools: $250,000
FY26 Implementation Grantees:
- Boston Public Schools: $670,000
- Brockton Public Schools: $966,812
- Fall River Public Schools: $494,000
- Framingham Public Schools: $750,000
- Gloucester Public Schools: $609,905
- Haverhill Public Schools: $1,000,000
- Holyoke Public Schools: $566,800
- Hoosac Valley Regional School District: $1,000,000
- Lawrence Public Schools: $1,000,000
- Lowell Public Schools: $1,000,000
- Lynn Public Schools: $942,602
- Malden Public Schools: $750,000
- New Bedford Public Schools: $1,000,000
- North Adams Public Schools: $316,000
- Northampton Public Schools: $1,000,000
- Plymouth Public Schools: $494,000
- Salem Public Schools: $1,000,000
- Sandwich Public Schools: $1,000,000
- Somerville Public Schools: $1,000,000
- Springfield Public Schools: $1,000,000
- Westfield Public Schools: $1,000,000
- Worcester Public Schools: $750,000