Thirty-one Dorchester programs and five Mattapan programs stand to receive grants of up to $10,000 from the Department of Early Education and Care. The agency announced $2.8 million in grants to improve the state’s early education programs this week. Sherri Killins, director of the Department of Early Education and Care, said the funds will go toward working to close the achievement gap in education at the earliest stages.

“When children enter kindergarten behind, it is likely they will remain behind, creating an achievement gap that often grows greater over the years,” Killins said.” Funding quality programs like these is key to providing children with critical skills such as oral language and literacy development, which are the basis for learning.”

The Commonwealth received the $2.8 million through a competitive grant process under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A public-private partnership between the Commonwealth, Wheelock College, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, and Community Advocates for Young Learners will administer the grant funds and assist recipients with forming programming that enhances the opportunities and educational experiences of children throughout the state.

The Dorchester programs receiving new grant money include ABCD’s Head Start, College Bound Dorchester programs, Clarendon Family Day Care Inc. and a number of day care centers.

The Mattapan programs receiving new grant money include ABCD’s Family Service Center, Clarendon Family Day Care and The SPARK Center (a Program of Boston Medical Center).