ECE Policy

WFC is committed to research, consultation & training that contribute to ECE policies that meet the needs of working families and young children. WFC works directly with policymakers and advocates to develop initiatives responsive to policy questions, and conducts independent research on important policies.

Projects

The Pandemic and Early Childhood Care and Education

The Stimulus Package is a Huge Win for Working Parents—and an Opportunity to Rebuild Our Child Care System - Ms. MagazineThe U.S. cannot achieve gender equality or economic recovery until its child care system is rebuilt from the ground up.

Early Childhood Care and Education During the Pandemic

Too Much and Not Enough: Family Stresses and Child Care Preferences in Boston During COVID-19 | Wellesley Centers for WomenBoston families are experiencing too much during the pandemic.

Covid-19 and Gender Equality Webinar

WCW Recommends Focus on Early Childhood Care and Education in Reopening Plans | Research & Action Midyear Brief 2020 | Research & Action Report | Publications Wellesley Centers for Women

Closing University Child Care Centers Hurts Both Student Parents...Across the country, early childhood care and education programs have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most closed in March, and though some are reopening as they are allowed by states, it’s expected that many will never reopen. These programs were financially precarious before the...

Child Care Challenges

Watch Dr. Robeson's presentation, "Child care challenges among mothers of young children in Massachusetts: An exploratory Analysis"

recorded September 29, 2020

Tuesday, September 29, 2020 - Watch the Recording For Early Education & Care: Key to Healthy Children and a Productive Workforce - Children's HealthWatch

ECE Policy in the U.S.

Listen to a WFC presentation on ECE Policy in the U.S. or view the presentation slides.

ECCE Policy in US 2016.pptx

Buildings and Classrooms

Does classroom arrangement, air quality, the building itself matter for children? Read about our research here.

This research was cited in the report, Considerations in Conducting Child Care and Early Education Facilities Needs Assessments, from The Role of Licensing in Early Care and Education, a project of Child Trends, ICF, and the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation of the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Facilities for Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Programs: Standards and ResearchCompleted in 2011 An evaluation of physical spaces in Massachusetts child care settings.

Health and Safety in Massachusetts Early Care and Education Programs2006 Assessing Health Practices in Early Education This project prepared a report to describe the prevalent health practices and concerns in early care and education programs in Massachusetts, as part of a larger project of the Schott Fellowship in Early Care and Education.

Massachusetts QRIS Validation Study

The Massachusetts QRIS Validation Study, led by Joanne Roberts, Ph.D., in collaboration with UMass Donahue Institute, involved the collection of quality observations and child assessments in ECE programs participating in the QRIS system. Roberts oversaw the quality observations, conducted the revised data analyses and prepared the final report the QRIS Validation Study findings to EEC. The project also makes recommendations for revisions to the MA QRIS to EEC and shares the findings with relevant stakeholders.