IF YOU HAVE young children, or know anyone who does, chances are you’ve noticed that the Commonwealth’s child care sector is in a major state of crisis. Classrooms are closing, waitlists are growing, tuition costs are soaring, and educators are leaving the field in droves for higher paying jobs; moreover, these persisting challenges continue to push mothers out of the workforce.

Thankfully, help may be on the way. Gov. Maura Healey’s fiscal year 2024 budget makes key investments to address this heightened crisis – and to pave the way for a healthier, more stable early education and care system for families across the Commonwealth. One is of particular importance: dedicating $475 million for foundational operating grants for child care providers for the entire fiscal year. The budget process now moves to the Legislature and it is critical that investments in the program remain.