Cambridge (MA) Preschool Program

A Groundbreaking Initiative Takes Root in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cambridge, Massachusetts is a beacon of educational excellence. Home to Harvard and MIT, located in the heart of a state that consistently ranks at the top of U.S. educational rankings, and boasting high-quality public and private school systems, the city is a model of excellence by almost any measure. That’s why, when city officials prepared to roll out a universal preschool program nearly three decades in the making, they knew the bar was going to be set high. 

After years of advocacy and planning work, the Cambridge Office of Early Childhood was thrilled to bring its longstanding vision of free universal Pre-K to reality. Families and preschool providers from across the city were excited to be part of this new initiative. In December of 2023, the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP) officially launched with the opening of its first application window. The CPP, which has since grown to serve approximately 800 three- and four-year-olds, features a network of more than 60 preschool sites, and is supported by more than $14 million in annual funding from the city. 

From the outset, program leaders built their approach around the concept of a “one-stop-shop” for parent resources and  a heavy emphasis on parent choice. That vision became reality thanks to the city’s partnership with BridgeCare, which has provided the data and technology infrastructure behind CPP from the very beginning. What started off as a strong functional fit quickly evolved into a deep philosophical alignment with what the city was trying to accomplish and a shared commitment to continuous improvement. 

Universal Preschool Through an Equity Lens

City leaders and constituents knew that access to high-quality preschool can set children up for success throughout their educational journey and beyond. It also sets the stage for equitable workforce access and economic mobility for families. They wanted to create a system in which a family’s income was not a factor in their ability to access a quality learning environment. 

That’s why equity has been a guidestone for CPP in both its initial design and ongoing evolution. The city’s mixed-delivery model, which utilizes a combination of public schools, Department of Human Service Programs, community-based options, and family childcare providers, puts family choice front and center. Program administrators have been diligent about monitoring placement outcomes, provider demographics, and enrollment trends to ensure the program is representative of the entire community’s needs while providing equal opportunities for every early learner.

BridgeCare’s highly configurable placement algorithm has been a perfect match for the program, giving administrators the ability to tailor the formula and ensure it is adequately prioritizing children from underserved communities. The city has also leveraged BridgeCare’s ability to translate the entire family experience into multiple languages to make CPP more accessible for its families who speak a language other than English. 

Communication and Transparency Are Key

Fresh off the heels of its most successful application season ever, CPP points to the program’s improved transparency and communication strategy as strong drivers of positive public sentiment. 

“Working in close collaboration with our BridgeCare partners, we have enhanced our communications with families prior to the match to ensure that they have the information they need to make preschool choices that will best meet their families’ needs,” said Cheryl Ohlson, Executive Director of Cambridge’s Office of Early Childhood. “CPP provides families with a wide range of preschool options, including full-day programs, school day programs, language immersion programs, and programs with various curricular approaches. We have fine-tuned our communications, through BridgeCare, in a way that enables families to easily access the information they need to make the best preschool choices for their family. We have also leveraged the BridgeCare communication platform to enhance our communications with families post-match, so that we can guide them through the enrollment process.” 

In the program’s third year of operation, automation plays a key role in ensuring families always understand when things are happening, why they’re happening, and what next steps they need to take. CPP had over 250 unique communications set up with triggers at every stage of the process and logic-driven workflows dictating who gets what. This includes everything from notification when the application is going to open to application status alerts to post-enrollment informational letters welcoming families based on provider type.  

The CPP/BridgeCare partnership is a classic story of two organizations growing together. The 2025 application window resulted in 94 percent of children getting matched with one of their first three choices, and more than 90 percent of offers accepted prior to the deadline. With each year that passes, both sides are identifying opportunities for improved efficiency and stronger outcomes. 

“In Cambridge we have a highly engaged community of families who recognize and value the impact of high-quality preschool, and we are fortunate to be home to many excellent preschools. The BridgeCare partnership has enabled us to leverage the city’s existing resources to ensure that all Cambridge families, regardless of income, can access high-quality preschool for their children.”   

- Cheryl Ohlson, Ed. D., Executive Director, Cambridge Office of Early Childhood