Early Start CT is a new state-funded early care and education program that’s launching on July 1, 2025.
It combines 3 existing programs — Child Day Care Contracts, School Readiness Grants, and State Head Start Supplement Grants — into 1 new program.
This new program will have benefits for providers and families:
- Less paperwork and more predictable pay schedules for providers
- Improved access to high-quality early care and education programming for families
- Centering family and community needs through Local Governance Partners (LGPs)
- Streamlined early care and education system by aligning eligibility requirements and standardizing family co-pay scale
Learn more about Early Start CT
Upcoming Trainings and Office Hours(Resources at Bottom)
The Office of Early Childhood’s new Early Start CT Team is hosting several virtual trainings throughout the month of June to support programs transitioning to and joining Early Start CT. These trainings will cover several different topics related to enrolling families in your program, while meeting the requirements of Early Start CT.
Trainings will be held twice weekly, with the same content covered in each session. Following the trainings, there will be office hours available where programs may come to ask questions specific to the topic covered that week. Each session will be recorded and posted to this website for anyone unable to attend live. Additionally, each evening session will offer Spanish translation.
| Topic | Date & Time | Zoom Link to Register/Resources |
| Family Fees & the Sliding Fee Scale | Tuesday, June 10th 12:00pm – 1:00pm | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/6ujLPafbRoC6KcYUtGefUQ |
| Family Fees & the Sliding Fee Scale | Wednesday, June 11th 6:00pm – 7:00pm | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/eazCXX4-Qha8oKfL81-SsQ |
| Office Hours to ask questions about: Family Fees & the Sliding Fee Scale | Thursday, June 12th 9:00am – 10:00am | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/0GG17CnuTteZJmvmx4zEqQ |
| Attendance & Reimbursement | Tuesday, June 17th 12:00pm – 1:00pm | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/qJ1eGJ0mQ-2skUAj2Jd-Ug |
| Attendance & Reimbursement | Wednesday, June 18th 6:00pm – 7:00pm | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/NTIEOcAjTHeFTau846Nthw |
| Office Hours to ask questions about: Attendance & Reimbursement | Monday, June 23rd 9:00am-10:00am | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/LPO2RE-uQc-WIiqOgxcCLA |
| Data & Reporting: ECE Reporter | Tuesday, June 24th 12:00pm – 1:00pm | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/scVizguJQhqdvU1kH6DFHw |
| Data & Reporting: ECE Reporter | Wednesday, June 25th 6:00pm – 7:00pm | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/qztMKISIQ9Ksm6HhhyJbOQ |
| Office Hours to ask questions about: Data & Reporting: ECE Reporter | Thursday, June 26th 9:00am – 10:00am | https://zoom.us/meeting/register/0A-ucThYRn2gNSMuNrpnQg |
| TOPIC | (week of) | RESOURCES |
| Overview of Early Start CT, and Eligibility & Enrollment of Families | June 3-5, 2025 | Video of Overview, Eligibility & Enrollment Webinar Eligibility & Enrollment PowerPoint Presentation |
Our RFA and RFP have closed
The opportunity to become a state-funded Early Start CT provider has closed. But when new opportunities arise, we’ll share information here and with the field.
Already submitted an application? We’ll send you an email in May letting you know the status of your application.
We want to hear from you!
We will post upcoming feedback opportunities here as they are scheduled.
Thank you to everyone who has already provided input. Your continued partnership is critical to providing high-quality early care and education for Connecticut’s children.
We’re happy to help. Email us.