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Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care

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The Department of Early Education and Care (ECC), or sometimes referred by former name the Department of Early Education, is an infant/toddler, preschool and family care state education agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.[1][2] As found under the oversight of the Governor's Executive Office of Education.[3] The department is led by its own commissioner, who manages the daily operations of the department, as well as a twelve-member departmental Board of Directors,[4] itself chaired by the State's Secretary of Education, all of whom are appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth and implements policies and goals for the department.

The agency has its headquarters in the Financial District in downtown Boston.[5][6] Plus five further regional offices[7] sited across the Commonwealth. (As of 2025 regionally in: Lawrence,[8] Quincy,[9] Springfield,[10] Taunton,[11] and Worcester.)[12] Other departmental precepts and mandates of Mass. DEEC involve the areas of:[13] Adoption Agency Licensing, Child Care Resources (and licensing), Children's Trust Fund (with its focus on providing statewide child abuse prevention programs through the elementary schools and licensing of daycare providers).[14]

History

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See also: History of early childhood care and education

Early Childhood Resource Centers in Massachusetts

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The program started in 1991 as the Early Education Department, who still runs and funds this grant today. The purpose of these centers is to facilitate the availability and accessibility of early childhood materials and resources statewide. Partnering with libraries has enabled broader access for parents, schools, child care agencies, and other entities involved with early education care and intervention.

These Resource Centers provide education materials that range from professional resource books, parenting books, videos & DVDs, teaching curriculum kits, themed picture books, big books, and many other items that are available for borrowing at no charge. Throughout the school year there are also teacher trainings available where professionals can earn early education credits or professional development hours. These trainings vary by location.

As of 2017, the Cambridge, Falmouth, Haverhill, Norfolk, and Springfield Public Library[15] are the five Early Childhood Resource Centers in Massachusetts.[16]

The DEEC also offers a variety of early childhood education opportunities, including assistance with Head Start & Early Head Start.[17] In partnership with the WGBH Educational Foundation and the National Science Foundation, DEEC launched an online early-learning video resource web portal for families.[18]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "General Laws, Part I, Title II, Chapter 15D: Department of Early Education and Care". www.malegislature.gov. Retrieved March 16, 2025. Subsections 1, 1a, 2, 3, 3a
  2. ^ "Overview - The DEEC". Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. 2025. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
  3. ^ "Overview - The EOE". Massachusetts Executive Office of Education. 2025. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
  4. ^ Board of Early Education and Care
  5. ^ "Contact DEEC". Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  6. ^ "Department of Early Education and Care Main Office". www.mass.gov. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  7. ^ "Department of Early Education and Care Locations". Mass. DEEC. 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  8. ^ "Department of Early Education and Care Northeast Office (Region 3)". Mass. DEEC. 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  9. ^ "Department of Early Education and Care Metro Boston Office (Region 6)". Mass. DEEC. 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  10. ^ "Department of Early Education and Care Western MA Office (Region 1)". Mass. DEEC. 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  11. ^ "Department of Early Education and Care Southeast Office (Region 5)". Mass. DEEC. 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  12. ^ "Department of Early Education and Care Central MA Office (Region 2)". Mass. DEEC. 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  13. ^ Galvin, William Francis (2025). "Citizens' Guide to State Services: Children". Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  14. ^ "Massachusetts: Resources for Families". The Office of Child Care. 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  15. ^ "Early Childhood Resource Center". Springfield City Library. 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  16. ^ "Child Care Resource & Referral". Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  17. ^ "Guide to Head Start / Early Head Start". www.Mass.gov. 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  18. ^ "Resources for Early Learning! - About". Resources for Early Learning. 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2025. EEC, in partnership with the WGBH Educational Foundation, has created this media-rich site of educational resources to help support adults who teach, nurture, and care for children from birth to age five.

Further reading

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Official website

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