For early education and care quality supports to improve and sustain educational quality among providers of early education and care and to assist early educators and providers in attaining higher levels of proficiency, skill and quality; provided, that funding may be used to incentivize public--private partnerships to implement reforms that lead to student success; provided further, that such partnerships' funding shall be administered in coordination with the department of elementary and secondary education, and preference shall be given to partnerships serving high percentages of high--needs students; provided further, that supports funded through this item shall include, but not be limited to, program quality improvements related to meeting the Massachusetts Quality Rating and Improvement System standards; provided further, that costs related to department of early education and care personnel who support quality improvement may be funded from this item, including the department''s licensing staff and other personnel who ensure compliance with state and federal requirements for inspections, monitoring and training; provided further, that funds from this item may support the Massachusetts universal pre--kindergarten program, inclusive learning environment grants and early childhood mental health consultation services; provided further, that any payment made under any such grant to a school district shall be deposited with the treasurer of the city, town or regional school district and held as a separate account and, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, shall be expended by the school committee of such city, town or regional school district without municipal appropriation; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to purchase equipment for the early education programs at Harmony Grove and Miriam F McCarthy Elementary Schools in the city of Framingham to align with the standards set forth by the Department of Early Education and Care; and provided further, that supports funded through this item may include, but not be limited to, the development and purchasing of curriculum, the development and implementation of early childhood assessment systems, incentives for programs to recruit, develop and retain highly qualified educators, payment of fees and direct assistance to programs seeking accreditation by agencies approved by the board of early education and care and professional development courses
