2026-2030 Strategic Action Plan
Published: December 2025
The Department of Early Education and Care Strategic Action Plan is our guiding vision for 2026-30.
We have made significant progress over the last few years to improve access, affordability, program stability, workforce supports, program quality, and its internal infrastructure — work we are eager to continue and deepen over the next five years, in collaboration with our partners and stakeholders across the state. With this Strategic Action Plan, we have a roadmap to:
- Continue increasing the capacity of Massachusetts child care programs, especially in areas that currently lack sufficient child care seats
- Help more families find and enroll in affordable child care that meets their needs
- Support new and existing early education and child care programs to open and remain open
- Elevate the workforce with improved onboarding experiences, professional development, and career advancement opportunities
- Implement updated licensing regulations to reflect modern best practices for health, safety, and family partnerships
- Expand access to evidence, data, and research about the early education and care sector
- Center the voices of programs, educators, and families in EEC’s services, policies, and initiatives
Through this work, we will continue towards our vision, where children, youth, and families reach their full potential now and in the future.
Full plan coming soon!
2020-2025 Strategic Action Plan
Published: March 2020
The Department of Early Education and Care strategic action plan is our guiding vision for 2020-2025. As the Commonwealth sustains families, children, and youth through the creative and tireless efforts of educators and programs, it is our hope as a system to continue to bolster their efforts and amplify their success with our own initiatives.
The pandemic crisis of 2020 and its widespread impacts have demonstrated the centrality of early education and care to the economic wellbeing of the Commonwealth and its residents, in addition to highlighting the important child and youth outcomes that come from quality early education programs.
Therefore we will continue to push ahead in the coming years to iterate on this plan in the same way that it was developed - in deep partnership with educators, programs, and community members across the Commonwealth. Only then can we fulfill the vision we have built together - that children, youth and families reach their full potential now and in the future.
2014-2019 Strategic Action Plan
Published: 2014
This Strategic Plan was intended to document our aspirational goals and will outlines the tasks, timelines, and outcomes to meet the agency's goals.
2009-2013 Strategic Action Plan
Published: February 2009
The original 5 year plan for the agency that was published in 2009. This plan lays out the history of the agency's creation and the priorities going forward.
| Date published: | December 23, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Last updated: | December 23, 2025 |