General Policies

OEC General Policies detail requirements and guidelines for Early Start CT and Smart Start state-funded early care and education programs.

PLEASE NOTE: All newly revised General Policies will say “NEW JULY 2025” below. All other policies without that designation are for previous funding streams and will be revised soon.

General Policy Series

  • A Series: Early Start CT (including State Head Start) and Smart Start
  • B Series: Early Start CT (not including State Head Start) and Smart Start
  • C Series: Early Start CT only (not including Smart Start)
  • D Series: Local Governance Partner Fiduciary
  • E Series: Local Governance Partner Intermediary, Head Start grant recipients

A Series: Early Start CT (including State Head Start) and Smart Start

General Policy #General Policy
A-01Legislative Requirements for Staff Qualifications in State-Funded Programs (Spanish)
NEW JULY 2025
A-02Data Submission and Reporting Requirements
NEW JULY 2025
A-03Commitments to CHEFA Financed Tax-Exempt Loans
NEW JULY 2025
A-04Requirements for conducting research involving OEC funded programs (English) 
(Spanish)
A-05Eligibility, Enrollment, Attendance in State-funded Programs
NEW JULY 2025
A-06Policies Related to State-Funded Spaces and How They Are Reimbursed
NEW JULY 2025
A-07Meeting Quality Assurance Requirements
A-08Spaces for Children with IEPs
NEW JULY 2025
A-09Nonsectarian Policy
NEW JULY 2025
A-10Reallocation of Unutilized Spaces
NEW JULY 2025

B Series: Early Start CT (not including State Head Start) and Smart Start

General Policy #General Policy
B-01Fee Schedule
Fee Schedule EXCEL DOC
NEW JULY 2025
B-02Fee Guidance
NEW JULY 2025

C Series: Early Start CT only (not including Smart Start)

General Policy #General Policy
C-01Nutrition Policy and Programs
NEW JULY 2025

D Series: Local Governance Partner Fiduciary

General Policy #General Policy
D-01Local Governance Partner: Membership and Responsibilities
D-02Local Governance Partner: Liaison Role and Responsibilities
NEW JULY 2025

E Series: Local Governance Partner Intermediary, Head Start federal grant recipients

General Policy #General Policy
E-01Quality Enhancement Funds
E-02Guidance for Federal Head Start grant recipients receiving state funding

Last updated July 23, 2025