Preserving Choice in Connecticut’s Childcare System
Connecticut has made meaningful progress in strengthening its childcare system. Over the past year, policymakers have taken important steps to recognize childcare as an essential component of the state’s economy.
The creation of the Early Childhood Education Endowment signaled a clear commitment to investing in solutions that help parents remain in the workforce while ensuring children receive high quality care.
As policymakers continue this work during the 2026 legislative session, the focus must remain on growing capacity and maintaining a range of options for families across the state.
With limited availability already straining the system, childcare policy decisions should prioritize access and choice for working families.
For that reason, legislation affecting childcare should be evaluated by a simple standard: does it increase options for families, or does it reduce them?
SB 266 raises serious concerns because it would narrow the pool of providers able to participate in the state’s childcare system.
Limiting Eligible Providers, Reducing Capacity
The Children Committee voted to advance SB 266 last month on a 12-5 vote, and the bill now awaits further consideration.
SB 266 limits participation in the Early Childhood Education Endowment for providers that leverage private investment, including private equity, to expand their operations.
These providers often rely on these investments to open new locations, hire staff, and increase capacity—particularly in communities where childcare options are already limited.
Families do not choose childcare based on a provider’s ownership or funding structure. They choose based on quality, affordability, and whether a program meets their needs.
“Limiting participation based on ownership structure misses what families are asking for in childcare access.”
KinderCare’s Jessica Wesh
Restricting eligibility based on financing risks reducing the number of available options at a time when demand already exceeds supply.
Providers agree that focusing on ownership structure misses what families are actually looking for.
“We applaud Connecticut leaders for their vision of the Early Childhood Endowment,” said Jessica Wesh, center director at KinderCare Newington, a significant Care4Kids provider who has been with KinderCare since 2004.
“However, limiting participation based on ownership structure, rather than community need or program quality, misses what families are asking for in childcare access.
“Programs should be held to the same standards.”
Impact on Expansion, Underserved Communities
Connecticut is already facing a significant childcare shortage, with 3,065 children waiting for placement in Care4Kids as of March of this year.
Reducing the number of eligible providers will not reduce demand; it will place greater pressure on a smaller group of providers, leading to longer waitlists and fewer openings for families.
SB 266 also raises concerns about future expansion, particularly in underserved communities.
Many providers rely on private investment to grow capacity and enter markets where childcare options are limited or nonexistent.
Excluding these providers from Endowment funding could discourage investment at a time when Connecticut needs more childcare slots—not fewer.
This will slow progress in communities already facing shortages and make it harder to build a more equitable system that meets families where they are.
Workforce Participation, Economic Stability
Reliable childcare is directly tied to workforce participation. When families cannot secure care, they are often forced to reduce work hours or leave the workforce altogether.
This affects not only individual households, but also employers struggling to retain workers and the state’s broader economy.
Providers see this challenge firsthand.
“A lot of parents are going back into the offices, and they need somewhere safe for their kids to go,” says Sarah Brockett, center director at Tutor Time in West Haven.
“Parents need somewhere safe for their kids to go.”
Tutor Time’s Sarah Brockett
“They need quality childcare, but childcare is expensive, so many families need support to cover the cost.”
Brockett added that her center accepts Care4Kids and the Early Start CT grant to help families afford care.
Without continued access to endowment funding, it would become increasingly difficult for providers like hers to continue serving families who rely on these supports.
“At a time when families and employers are already stretched, policies that reduce childcare capacity only make workforce challenges worse,” said CBIA policy director Danielle Cloud.
“Policies that limit provider participation ultimately limit opportunity for families and employers alike.”
Looking Ahead
Ensuring access to all qualified providers helps parents remain employed, and businesses maintain a stable workforce.
Limiting participation in the endowment risks undermining these goals by constraining capacity and flexibility at a time when both families and employers need more support.
Sustaining progress in Connecticut’s childcare system requires policies that expand access rather than limit it.
Policies that discourage investment risk moving the system in the wrong direction.
CBIA remains committed to working with policymakers to advance solutions that strengthen the state’s childcare system and support working families across Connecticut.
Providing families with access to high-quality, affordable childcare supports workforce participation, promotes economic stability, and strengthens Connecticut’s long‑term competitiveness.
Policies that reduce provider eligibility or discourage investment risk moving the system in the opposite direction—at a time when Connecticut should be building on progress, not pulling back from it.
For more information, contact CBIA’s Danielle Cloud (860.244.1911).
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