Department of Early Education and Care
Web Site:
www.mass.gov/eec
Mission:
The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care provides the foundation that supports all children in their development as lifelong learners and contributing members of the community and supports families in their essential work as parents and caregivers.
Governing Laws:
Statutes
Regulations
Reports:
- Tips on Choosing Child Care (English)
- Higher Education Report
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) in partnership with the Head Start State Collaboration Office contracted with Oldham Innovative Research in 2010 to map the institutes of higher education within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. EEC's vision and mission for this project was to gather detailed information on early childhood education and related degrees to ease the process for the early education and out-of-school time workforce in selecting a degree and institute of higher education (IHE) to further their education. This relates to EEC's commitment to ensure that all children have access to quality programs. Increasing and ensuring the attainment of meaningful, quality higher education of the early childhood workforce is a critical part of EEC's mission.
- Dual Language Education Policy and Guidelines
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) in partnership with the Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) contracted with Hampshire Educational Collaborative in 2010 to develop language policies and practices that support best practices in early education and care programs serving dual language learners, from birth to 8 and their families, and for implementation by providers and programs throughout the mixed delivery system within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Core Competencies for Early Education and Care and Out of School Time Educators
An important first step for any workforce development system is defining core competencies, or the knowledge and skills that are necessary to be effective in working with children and youth. Core competencies provide educators with a framework for professional development -- a road map -- leading them to new credentials, or guiding ongoing professional development at various career stages. Educators must be able to "recognize themselves" as professionals based on the knowledge and competencies they have gained through education and practical applications rather than being defined solely by the setting in which they work or by their degree attainment.
- Vision for the Early Childhoold Information System: The Massachusetts Early Childhood Information System (ECIS) project was commissioned by the Department of Early Education and Care Commissioner, Sherri Killins. This project is for the initial analysis and preliminary design of the ECIS. This project aimed to increase EEC's capacity to understand child, parent, and educator outcomes and indicators for well-being. The ECIS project also aimed to increase and establish standards for data sharing across agencies. Most significantly, this project is intended to support families, communities, and the workforce in supporting the healthy development and well-being of the Commonwealth's children and to increase the understanding of and access to resources that support this development. The funds supporting this initiative were Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) funds received by the Commonwealth through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
- Massachusetts Professional Development System Study: Year One Final Report. The purpose of this report is to present the findings from the first year of the Massachusetts Professional Development System Study (MA PDS). This study examined the implementation of Massachusetts' new statewide model for professional development of the early education and care and out of school time workforce. The study was funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).
- Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan: This is the document which EEC is required to submit to ACF every other year.
- FY12 EEC Legislative Report Executive Summary. As we enter the second decade of the 21st century, the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care recognizes the vital importance of its work to the future social and economic wellbeing of the Commonwealth — as today’s children will become tomorrow’s citizens, workers and parents. If we invest wisely today, utilizing all of what we know from science and best practice, the next generation will pay that back through a lifetime of productivity and responsible citizenship.
- Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) Mapping Project. The IHE Mapping Project maps the current network of two and four year public and select private Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) in Massachusetts that offer an Early Childhood Education (ECE) program of study, elementary education program or program in a related field that leads to a certificate, and/or an associate's or a bachelor's degree. The project includes a school profile for each school surveyed and a searchable database of ECE degree program required coursework. Note: this information is current as of June 2010; as of July 28, 2010 state legislation was signed changing six Massachusetts' state colleges into state universities.
- Cost of Quality Childcare Survey Analysis
The Department of Early Education and Care worked with the Hanover Research group to survey programs about staff salaries and benefits, professional development, occupancy costs, curriculum and assessment, classroom materials, and other expenses related to childcare.
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