Child Care

The Blue-Ribbon Panel on Child Care was created by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont earlier this year, tasked with recruiting and retaining quality staff, making child care equitable and affordable and building a sustainable funding model.

Mayor Justin Elicker said New Haven is dedicating more money than any other Connecticut municipality in an effort to make child care more affordable and accessible.

Officials say a strong child care system benefits Connecticut's economy by helping attract and retain young families and increasing the workforce.

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, wants to extend the Child Care Stabilization Act along with other Democrats from the House and Senate. The pandemic-related relief is set to expire on Sept. 30.

The New York Child Care Deserts Grant was supposed to build child care capacity in the state. And it has, but at what cost to providers?

On Long Island, a longstanding pillar of the Black community celebrated its grand reopening after a $3.3 million makeover. The Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center now offers more classrooms and after school programs.

The Friends Center for Children in New Haven said six families will be housed by this fall, and they plan to house 24 of their employees and their families by 2027.

A $2 million state grant will help LULAC Head Start, an early child care provider in New Haven, expand their facility to continue serving the community.

With emergency funding running out and the Connecticut kindergarten age rising, child care providers say their capacity will be strained even further.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont attended the state’s inaugural meeting to outline an actionable five-year plan that supports families, child care providers and Connecticut’s economy. It prioritizes easy access to early care and education.