Your Guide to Connecticut's Child Care Experts

Finding the right support shouldn’t be a challenge. We’ve organized the state’s essential resources in one place to eliminate the “navigation burden”. Whether you need a business grant, help with a child’s behavior, or food program support, this is your starting point to connect directly with the expert agency that can help.

I need help with business grants and finances.

The Expert: The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is Connecticut’s designated expert for child care business capital and advising.

What You’ll Get: 

  • Access to business grants of up to $25,000.
  • One-on-one business advising and financial coaching.
  • Tools and resources to help you grow your program.

The Expert: The Early Childhood Consultation Partnership (ECCP) provides Connecticut’s evidence-based mental health support for all early care settings.

What You’ll Get: 

  • Free, confidential consultations from a mental health expert.
  • Strategies for addressing challenging behaviors.
  • Support for promoting wellness and social-emotional development in your program.

The Expert:  ctSHARES is the state’s shared services platform, specifically designed to help you reduce administrative burdens and costs.

What You’ll Get: 

  • Free business templates, policy guides, and HR tools.
  • Exclusive discounts on essential supplies.
  • Resources to streamline your back-office work and reduce administrative burdens.

The Expert: The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) oversees the CACFP program, helping providers access crucial nutrition funding.

What You’ll Get: 

  • Financial reimbursement for serving healthy meals and snacks.
  • Support for participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
  • A key tool for stabilizing your monthly budget.

The Expert: The OEC Professional Registry is the state’s official system for recognizing the early childhood workforce and documenting professional development.

What You’ll Get: 

  • Establish your professional identity in the early childhood workforce database.
  • Document your credentials and track your professional development.
  • Official recognition of your professional journey in Connecticut.

The Expert: OEC Elevate is Connecticut’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS), designed to help providers grow and get recognized for their great work.

What You’ll Get: 

  • Access to a supportive framework of free coaching.
  • Tools and resources to enhance your program’s quality.
  • Guidance to improve at your own pace.