Early Start CT Expansion RFA Fall 2026
Early Start CT Expansion RFA Fall 2026 supports Connecticut child care providers in adding infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age spaces to expand equitable access to affordable, high-quality care.
Funder: Connecticut Office of Early Childhood
Due Dates: October 16, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (Questions) | October 20, 2026 (FAQ responses) | October 30, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (Applications)
Funding Amounts: At least $13 million per year; 18-month award period, January 1, 2027–June 30, 2028
Summary: Supports new state-funded infant/toddler, preschool, and school-age spaces to expand equitable access to affordable, high-quality care in Connecticut.
Key Information: Providers must have operated for at least one year; existing ESCT sites need at least 90% utilization in April–June 2026.
Description
The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) administers this competitive expansion of Early Start CT (ESCT), funded through the Early Childhood Education Endowment for fiscal years 2027 and 2028. Funding supports new state-funded spaces for eligible families through Connecticut Purchase of Service contracts. Both new ESCT providers and existing providers seeking additional spaces can apply.
The initiative prioritizes equitable access to affordable, high-quality care across child care centers, group homes, family child care homes, and license-exempt programs. Selection considers local child care access, neighborhood opportunity, quality recognition, Care4Kids participation, and requested care schedules. OEC expects approximately 1,000 new spaces, with 35% required to serve infants and toddlers across the expansion.
