Connecticut Maintained Momentum on Child Care This Session

As Connecticut’s legislative session comes to a close, Child Care for CT wants to extend gratitude to every parent, provider, educator, employer, and advocate who raised their voice for child care this year. We want to thank the many legislators, including Governor Lamont, who made good on their promise to support the endowment by making the necessary deposit to keep it on track.

Because of your advocacy and your care, we made meaningful progress together.

Connecticut Made a Major Investment in Early Childhood

This session, Connecticut deposited $300 million for the Early Childhood Education Endowment — a major investment in the future of child care in our state. That progress did not happen by accident. It happened because people across Connecticut organized, shared their stories, contacted lawmakers, submitted testimony, attended rallies, and demanded action.

When families and providers spoke up about the realities they face every day, legislators listened.

A Victory for Family Child Care Providers

We also celebrate the successful advocacy effort led by CSEA SEIU to secure bonuses for Care 4 Kids family child care providers and extend their union contract for another year. Family child care providers are essential to Connecticut families and communities. They care for children in neighborhoods across our state, often during nontraditional hours and for families with few other options.

This victory matters for providers, children, and working families alike.

But the Work Is Not Finished

While we made important progress this session, we are deeply disappointed that the legislature did not secure additional Care 4 Kids funding for families currently waiting for assistance. Too many families across Connecticut are still struggling to afford child care. Providers continue to face enormous financial pressure while trying to keep their programs open and support the children and families who depend on them. The need remains urgent. But this session also proved something important:

Advocacy works.

More than 600 parents, providers, nonprofit leaders, and community advocates participated in lobby days and events this session to push lawmakers to invest in child care. Together, we made it impossible to ignore this issue.

Every story shared.

Every email sent.

Every testimony submitted.

Every conversation mattered.

What Comes Next

The legislative session may be ending, but our work continues.

We will keep fighting for affordable, accessible, high-quality child care for every family in Connecticut — and we hope you’ll continue standing with us.

Thank You

Thank you for standing with us and helping build a stronger child care system for Connecticut families. Together, we’ll keep pushing for the investments families, providers, and communities deserve.