Webinar: Early Education and Care in Massachusetts: Renegotiating a New Social Contract

  • Starts: 3:00 pm on Thursday, July 16, 2020
  • Ends: 4:00 pm on Thursday, July 16, 2020
As the Massachusetts economy reopens, and the demand for early education and care again rises, who is responsible for rebuilding a more equitable, accessible, and high-quality system?  In light of the COVID-19 pandemic closures, society is being forced to reconcile the marginalized, inequitable, and underfunded early education and care sector with its essential function as a driver of the economy. The financial growth and stability of households, businesses, and municipalities rely on employees accessing early education and care. The question remains, what responsibility each sector has to sustain and strengthen the education and care sector – what is the early education and care social contract?
The panelists represent multiple sectors and will discuss their experiences of what is at stake. Children’s access to high-quality experiences, during 0 to five years, impacts their readiness for K-12, future career prospects, and their civic contributions to our society.  Additionally, access to high-quality education and care influences their parents’ ability to work, maintain a stable household, flourish in their careers, and contribute quality work to their employers. Early education and care inform the quality of our educational systems, our workforce, and the health of our current and future economy and society. Considering these points, the panelists will discuss their perspectives on policies, innovations, and how business and government can contribute to the sector.
This webinar is being organized by the CERES Institute for Children and Youth at Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Development.
Panelists
Amy O’Leary, Director, Early Education for All, Wheelock College of Education and Human Development
James Morton, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Boston
Turahn Dorsey, Foundation Fellow, Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation
Beth Mattingly, Assistant Vice President, Community Development Research, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Kelly Pellagrini, Co-Founder Charlestown Nursery School
Moderator 
Pratima Patil, PhD Student, CPAHD Boston University Wheelock and Research Fellow, Boston Opportunity Agenda
Full panelist bios are available here!