State and National Resources
Many agencies and programs are a part of the Cherish Every Child initiative, including social service programs which provide direct service and care to residents in Springfield. Cherish Every Child would like to assist in linking parents/caregivers of children with services which they may need, as well as strategies to assist them in “raising thriving children ready to enter kindergarten and succeed.” For more information, please visit the following web resources for parents and familes:
State Resources:
- Mass. Children’s Trust Fund: http://www.mctf.org/index.aspx
- Mass. Department of Early Education & Care: http://www.eec.state.ma.us/
National Resources:
- Pre[k]Now: http://www.preknow.org/
- National Association for the Education of Young Children: http://www.naeyc.org/
Early education and care:
The state Department of Early Education and Care lists all licensed programs - family child care, center-based and school-age.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children, whose accrediting process of center-based programs and preschools is a widely-accepted proxy for quality, lists accredited programs.
Contact your local school department for information on early education programs in the public schools.
Fast Facts: Children, families, & early education in your community
