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Connecticut Makes a Historic Investment in Early Childhood Education

  • Writer: Izzi Greenberg
    Izzi Greenberg
  • 2 hours ago
  • 3 min read

More than $700 million is now invested in the Connecticut Early Childhood Education Endowment, marking a transformational step toward a stronger child care system for families, providers, and children across our state.

Connecticut has reached a historic milestone for early childhood education.


Governor Ned Lamont recently announced an additional $411.7 million investment in the Connecticut Early Childhood Education Endowment, bringing the fund's total value to more than $700 million. This permanent endowment represents the largest long-term investment in early childhood education in Connecticut's history and creates a sustainable source of funding to strengthen our state's child care system for generations to come.


For families struggling with the high cost of child care and providers working to meet growing demand, this investment represents meaningful progress toward a more affordable, accessible, and sustainable future.

Why This Matters

For too long, Connecticut families have faced rising child care costs, limited availability, and a system that has been underfunded despite its essential role in supporting children, working parents, employers, and our economy.


The Early Childhood Education Endowment was created to address these longstanding challenges by providing a permanent source of funding dedicated to strengthening early childhood education.


Over time, the endowment will help:

  • Make child care more affordable for Connecticut families.

  • Expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities.

  • Create thousands of additional child care spaces.

  • Strengthen the early childhood workforce.

  • Support providers with resources that improve long-term sustainability.

  • Invest in quality improvements and facilities across the state.

  • Support strong businesses and CT's economy.


What Families Can Expect

Beginning in Fiscal Year 2028, the endowment is expected to begin funding expanded affordability initiatives through Early Start CT.


Under current law:

  • Families with household incomes up to $100,000 will be eligible for free state-funded child care through Early Start CT.

  • Families with incomes above that threshold will have child care costs capped at no more than 7% of household income, making care significantly more affordable for thousands of Connecticut families.


These investments are designed to ensure more children have access to high-quality early learning while reducing the financial burden on working families.


Supporting the Early Childhood Workforce

A strong child care system depends on the educators and providers who make early learning possible every day.


The endowment also supports investments that strengthen the early childhood workforce through initiatives such as educator compensation, business sustainability, quality improvement, facility upgrades, and a new health insurance subsidy for early childhood educators beginning in Fiscal Year 2027.


These investments recognize that supporting educators is essential to expanding access and improving quality across Connecticut.


A Milestone Years in the Making

This historic investment reflects years of advocacy from families, child care providers, educators, community organizations, advocates, legislative leaders, and Governor Lamont's administration.


Child Care for CT is proud to have worked alongside coalition partners to advance policies that recognize child care as the essential infrastructure families and Connecticut's economy depend on.


While today is a moment to celebrate, implementation will be just as important. We remain committed to ensuring these investments expand access, strengthen providers, support educators, and make child care more affordable for every family who needs it.


Together, we're building a stronger child care system—and a stronger Connecticut.


Learn More


To learn more about the Connecticut Early Childhood Education Endowment, visit the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood's website.


Thank you to everyone who has raised their voice, shared their story, and advocated for a child care system that works for every family. This historic investment is an important step forward, and together, we'll continue building on this momentum.

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