Joseph P. Gresko

Under the Early Childhood Education Endowment, created by the legislature and governor earlier this year, a major expansion of the Early Start CT program will take place in 2026. 

This initiative marks an important step in helping to meet the growing demand for high-quality early childhood care and education in Connecticut. It will mean expanded access to affordable early learning opportunities for more families, and we are excited about this program and the critical benefits it will bring to more children and communities across the state.

"Thanks to the Early Childhood Education Endowment, the 2026 Early Start CT expansion will be an important step forward to meet the demand for early childhood care and education,” House Deputy Majority Leader Kate Farrar said. “By expanding infant, toddler, and preschool spaces, we’ll ensure more families have access to high-quality affordable and accessible early learning. Plus, an increase in provider rates will improve compensation for early educators who play an invaluable role in shaping the futures of our youngest learners.”

Early Start CT is a state-funded early care and education program serving income-eligible families with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. The program is administered by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC).

OEC will soon begin accepting applications from child care providers interested in offering Early Start CT spaces. The program is open to child care centers, group child care homes, family child care homes, and public school preschool classrooms. Funding will also go toward increased provider payments to help offset operational costs as well as higher staff compensation.

You can read more about this expansion in the news article "1,000 new state-funded child care slots will be added in January" from the New Haven Register.