Western Massachusetts towns get grant money for universal pre-K Olivia Ray — WWLP

This year, the state’s budget includes funding to make sure all Massachusetts children are able to go to preschool.

BOSTON (WWLP) – This year, the state’s budget includes funding to make sure all Massachusetts children are able to go to preschool.

Last week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced grants for 30 school districts to partner with local community-based preschool programs.

These grants are meant to make preschool and pre-kindergarten affordable and accessible for all families as part of Governor Healey’s “Gateway to Pre-K” program. Some districts received funding to continue planning early education and care programs, including Chicopee and the Gateway Regional School District in western Massachusetts.

Other districts were given funding to implement preschool plans and maintain them, including Holyoke, Northampton, Springfield, and Westfield in western Massachusetts. The lieutenant governor explained this program, which is a priority for the administration, in a statement.

“I know how important access to high-quality preschool is for children, families, businesses, and communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “[The program is] highlighting our commitment to supporting cities and towns from Pittsfield to Cape Cod in meeting the needs of their residents and making Massachusetts a more affordable and equitable place to live, learn, work and play.”

This funding can be used to help families enroll in school and after-school programs, strengthen curriculum and assessments, increase access to special education services, and more.

This grant program begins with gateway cities and rural communities, with the goal of expanding to every community across the state.

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