Bill Summary: Substitute Bill No. 5051 - Establishing Early Start CT

• Establishes Early Start CT, a state-funded early care and education system administered by the Office of Early Childhood to provide open access to high-quality programs for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children, with implementation effective July 1, 2026.

• Requires sliding fee scales based on family income aligned with child care subsidy program rates, with at least 60% of participating children from families at or below 75% of state median income, prioritizing children in high-need school districts and vulnerable communities.

• Sets per-child funding rates of at least $10,500 for preschool-age children and $13,500 for infants/toddlers (fiscal year 2027 and beyond), and establishes accreditation requirements within three years of program participation.

• Creates local and regional governance partners to conduct needs assessments, coordinate services, provide technical assistance, and employ staff liaisons to facilitate efficient delivery of early childhood education across mixed-delivery systems.

• Establishes a competitive Head Start enhancement program to expand extended-day, full-day, year-round services and increase program quality, with at least 25% of funding designated for quality improvements.