WORCESTER—State early education officials visited Worcester on Friday as part of a statewide tour focused on expanding access to preschool programs through the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI).
The event, held at the YWCA Central Massachusetts, marked the third stop on the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care’s (EEC) Universal Pre-K Access Road Show. The initiative highlights local efforts to broaden access to early childhood education and support communities working toward universal pre-kindergarten.
During the visit, EEC Commissioner Amy Kershaw joined local educators, officials, and community partners for a roundtable discussion and classroom visits. The group discussed Worcester’s early efforts to implement CPPI, including partnerships with the Guild of St. Agnes and the YWCA.
“We are grateful to our partners in Worcester for hosting us and sharing their commitment to expanding access to high-quality preschool opportunities in the city,” Kershaw said in a statement. “We’re excited to see the energy and momentum on display today in Worcester and look forward to continuing our partnership to promote the educational success of the community’s youngest learners and the economic mobility of their families.”
Worcester is in the early stages of CPPI implementation. The current phase focuses on strategic planning, developing aligned curriculum across community-based providers and public schools, and conducting assessments to inform future professional development needs.
“The CPPI grant is truly re-envisioning the early education and care field,” said Darlene Belliveau, director of Children’s Services at the YWCA Central Massachusetts, in the announcement. “It provides a high-quality mixed-delivery model, a strong foundation for early learning, and most importantly, support for families and educators.”
Belliveau said the grant has helped provide coaching and individualized guidance for educators and that the long-term goal is to streamline the enrollment process for families and improve data systems.
Sharon MacDonald, president and CEO of the Guild of St. Agnes, said the funding allows for increased collaboration between providers and Worcester Public Schools. The model enables children with special needs to receive services from WPS staff while remaining in full-day care settings, she said. That approach, MacDonald added, also frees up spots in public school classrooms.
“Worcester has a very tight-knit provider community whose members have been working together for years to support our families,” MacDonald said. “The Guild is thrilled to be part of this initiative.”
EEC officials also met with Worcester Public Schools administrators to discuss the city’s continued commitment to early education and plans for community-wide preschool services.
The road show is part of the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Gateway to Pre-K initiative, a multi-year effort investing more than $20 million statewide to expand preschool access in Gateway Cities and rural areas. Worcester’s event follows previous visits in Somerville and Northampton, with additional stops planned across the state.
Governor Maura Healey’s proposed FY26 budget includes $25 million for CPPI, with additional funding aimed at supporting full implementation in current districts and expanding the program to additional Gateway Cities.
EEC plans to open the next round of CPPI grant opportunities in fiscal year 2026, subject to available funding. More information is available at Mass.gov/CPPI.
