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EEC board approves 2026'2030 strategic action plan, asks staff to add metrics and workforce details
Summary
The Board of Early Education and Care voted to approve the department's five'year strategic action plan, with "friendly amendments" requested to add capital grant metrics and broader workforce compensation measures; the plan will be submitted to the Secretary of Education and is set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
The Board of Early Education and Care on its December meeting in Lynn voted to approve the agency's draft five'year strategic action plan, authorizing the Commission of Early Education and Care to forward the document to the Secretary of Education for review. The motion was moved by the board chair and passed by voice vote.
The plan is the statutorily required five'year master plan that will guide EEC's priorities from 2026 through 2030, the board heard. Emily Connor Simons, the plan's lead convener and drafter, told members the document reflects research, stakeholder engagement and feedback gathered statewide and is intended to become the blueprint for advancing access, affordability, quality and equity across Massachusetts' mixed delivery early education system.
Board members raised a small number of amendments before the final vote. "My friendly amendments, hopefully, are additive," said Dr. Lucas, who asked the board to explicitly add (1) leadership and mentoring supports for center directors and family childcare providers into the program stability section, (2) capital grant metrics (who receives funds and how many and how much), and (3) measures of full compensation for the early educator workforce, including benefits such as health care and retirement. Agency staff acknowledged the proposals and said staff would incorporate the changes into the final document before submission to the secretary.
Chair moved that the Board "in accordance with general law chapter 15D section 4" approve the draft master plan as amended and authorize the commission to provide the master plan to the Secretary of Education for review and approval. The board approved the motion by voice vote, after a second. The plan is slated to take effect Jan. 1, 2026, contingent on the secretary's review.
The vote followed earlier procedural business, including approval of the Nov. 11/12, 2025 minutes and several updates from the executive office on grants, IT modernization and other programs. Undersecretary Mark Riley updated the board on related items, including a pending increase in initial eligibility for child care financial assistance set by FY25 statutory language and forthcoming policy communications to providers.
The board recorded no roll'call tally in the meeting transcript; approval was recorded by voice. The commission will transmit the amended plan to the secretary for his review and any further action.
