Connecticut Child Care Grants, Programs and Services
Whether you are looking to start a child care program in Connecticut or are a seasoned owner, there are many resources available to help fund your programs. Each state has a primary agency or organization responsible for subsidizing child care programs. They partner with local child care resource and referral (CCR&R) agencies and shared services organizations to raise awareness of grant opportunities and support the distribution of funding. They also provide additional programs and services to help you run your business.
Connecticut Child Care Grants, Programs and Services
Primary State Agency (Child Care Development Fund)
This primary agency oversees early care and education programs and services in Connecticut, and is responsible for subsidizing child care programs through federal and state grants. Visit the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood.
Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R Agency)
Child Care Resource & Referral agencies (CCR&Rs) are another great resource for assisting child care providers with available grants and funding and other resources. Find your local CCR&R.
Shared Services Organizations and NAEYC Regional Affiliates
The community of ECE leaders working to provide services to support sustainable child care programs is growing all the time. Reach out to your local organizations to learn more about their services. Visit ctSHARES to learn more.
Champions of Mixed Delivery Monthly Call
The Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC) and National Child Care Association (NCCA) and are partnering to offer Champions of Mixed Delivery, a series of monthly check-in calls to share and receive updates about key proposals, coordinate messaging and talking points and share resources for advocacy. View dates and register for a call here.
Connecticut Child Care Licensing Requirements
Learn more about Connecticut early learning standards: Connecticut Office of Early Childhood
Learn more about child care licensing requirements in Connecticut: Connecticut Office of Early Childhood
Connecticut Early Childhood Education Quality Ratings, Curriculum and Assessments
Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS)
Child care providers earn a rating when they meet quality standards. Many states require these quality standards in order to receive grants and additional funding. However, Connecticut does not have child care quality ratings available at this time.
State-Aligned Curriculum
Procare Solutions is partnering with Learning Beyond Paper to provide curriculum to our customers. No state approval is required, but you can be confident knowing your curriculum aligns to your state standards by implementing Procare Early Learning Powered by Learning Beyond Paper. This 100% digital curriculum addresses the needs of child care centers, daycares, preschools and early learning teachers. The curriculum provides 52 weeks of lesson plans that include learning tailored to seasons. Â
Assessments
Simplify the assessment process and meet state standards with a unique early childhood assessment framework that makes clarity a key strength of your child care center’s assessments and communications.
Average Cost of Child Care in Connecticut
Understanding the cost of child care in Connecticut is important for both parents and child care providers.
Annual Child Care Costs in Connecticut
Child care in Connecticut is characteristically unaffordable, with infant care costing approximately $16,588 per year.
Child Care Affordability in Connecticut
Connecticut is implementing minimum wage increases that will see the minimum wage increase from $11 per hour today, up to $15 per hour by June 2023. Today, minimum wage workers in Connecticut earn roughly $21,000 per year on full-time employment and would spend approximately 12% of that on infant care services for a single child.
View child care costs in other states.
Connecticut Professional Development Training Requirements
In Connecticut, it is required that early childhood educators complete professional development training based on 1% of total hours worked each calendar year. Training hours and continuing education units (CEUs) are documented in each person’s professional development record in the Connecticut Early Childhood Professional Registry. Be sure to create and manage your registry profile to track and document your training hours to comply with Connecticut state licensing requirements for ECE professionals. Visit the National Database of Child Care Regulations or Connecticut Office of Early Childhood to find licensing regulations and requirements in your state.
Bertelsen Education, a Procare Solutions Company provides IACET-accredited courses that meet state licensing requirements. Visit BertelsenEducation.com to purchase.
Professional Development Resources
Professional development programs are designed to encourage, support and recognize early childhood professionals seeking to expand their skills to raise the quality of their programs. View a list of professional development resources for child care providers here.