Gov. Ned Lamont urged the state legislature to increase early childhood education services by $43 million at the General Assembly in Hartford, Wednesday morning.
The proposed increase would top the already approved $45 million designated for providing services like day care and education readiness.
鈥淓xpanding access to early childhood education has numerous benefits that include not only supporting children but uplifting entire families and improving economic outcomes,鈥� Lamont said in a statement.
Lamont鈥檚 urging for additional funding comes amid growing calls for greater allocation to childhood resources statewide. CT Voices for Children鈥檚 latest report highlighted the critical need for expansive and robust early care and education.
Its findings unveiled that 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 child care issues continue to persist specifically impacting women of color. These disparities have long-lasting effects on parent productivity and children鈥檚 education.
黑料吃瓜网 currently has the third-highest childcare costs in the country. More funds allocated to ensuring costs aren鈥檛 burdening families can improve that statistic. The non-profit told 黑料吃瓜网 that addressing the gaps for the state鈥檚 45,730 children will improve childhood advancement, specifically among marginalized families.
Last year, an expert panel met to develop a five-year improvement plan for the state鈥檚 early childhood education system. The Blue Ribbon Panel, dispatched by Lamont, found that $2 billion was needed to overhaul and improve the current childhood care apparatus.
The plan would include higher wages and expanded benefits for teachers, flexible child care schedules, subsidies for parents, expanded grants for child care institutions and technological improvements.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 just expand 鈥� you need the systems in place to do that,鈥� Beth Bye, commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood, said.
Under Lamont鈥檚 administration, state funding for early childhood education services has grown from $214.1 million to $404.5 million, an 88.9% increase.
If approved, the increase in funds would be applied to the state鈥檚 2025 fiscal budget.
