Commissioner Amy Kershaw

The City of Somerville and Somerville Public Schools welcome Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Commissioner Amy Kershaw to Somerville on May 13 to celebrate the work of the Somerville Partnership for Young Children (SPYC).

SPYC leads a network of licensed early education and care providers to expand access to early childhood education programs for Somerville families and improve the quality of Somerville’s local early childhood education system. The resources and financial support from the EEC, through the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) grant program, made the work of the SPYC possible.

SPYC is administered by the Somerville Early Education & Care Department and the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC), in collaboration with the City of Somerville SomerPromise Department.

“Somerville is proud to be home to a strong and collaborative early childhood ecosystem,” said Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. “We’re grateful for the support of the Department of Early Education and Care, and we look forward to showcasing the innovative work of the Somerville Partnership for Young Children during Commissioner Kershaw’s visit.

SPYC exists to ensure inclusive, high-quality learning experiences for all children and give families more choices for their children’s early learning journey in Somerville. SPYC aligns curriculum across a network of providers, bolsters quality through educator training opportunities, and improves access through translation, interpretation, and wraparound services. In addition, SPYC’s clinical specialists provide direct, on-site special education services to children with disabilities and intervention services for children needing additional support.

“We rely on the Somerville Partnership for Young Children to provide high-quality early childhood experiences that set the foundation for long-term academic and social-emotional success,” said Superintendent Rubén Carmona. Thanks to the consistent and generous CPPI grant funding from the Department of Early Education and Care, Somerville is able to invest in innovative and collaborative early learning opportunities that benefit our entire community.

“This coordinated system for early childhood providers in the community really sets the stage for a deep collaboration between the city, the Schools, our community partners, and families,” said Chris Hosman, Director of SomerPromise. “The results are increased access to high-quality early childhood experiences supported by a network of caring adults and increased reliability of systems of care for working families.”

The City of Somerville has made significant investments in early childhood education, laying the groundwork for a strong system across the city. Beginning with early investments in prekindergarten and kindergarten, the city has strategically expanded access and quality through blended funding models, partnerships, and the establishment of the Somerville Partnership for Young Children.

Commissioner Kershaw will visit two Somerville flagship EEC providers

During the visit, Commissioner Kershaw will tour the Capuano Early Childhood Center (part of Somerville Public Schools) and local childcare provider, the Elizabeth Peabody House. These visits will be followed by a roundtable discussion with Commissioner Kershaw and various SPYC leaders from across the city.

“We are grateful to welcome Commissioner Kershaw to Somerville and for the opportunity to celebrate our young children, families, and the staff who support them,” says Kathleen Bailer, Director of the Somerville Department of Early Education and Care. She continued, “accessible, affordable, high-quality childcare acts as a down payment for future success in a child. By working together, we ensure all children thrive every day, in every way, and are prepared for kindergarten.”

The Commissioner’s visit starts at the Capuano Early Childhood Center, 150 Glen Street, Somerville, MA 02145 at 9 a.m. and will continue with a tour of preschool classrooms at the Elizabeth Peabody House, and conclude with a roundtable discussion with local childcare center directors.

City of Somerville SomerPromise Department supports the overall well-being of children and youth by connecting, aligning, and mobilizing community partners and resources to ensure every child in Somerville has the opportunity to thrive, from cradle to career.