Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board Issues First Annual Report

01/13/2026

Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board Issues First Annual Report

Hartford, CT - The Office of the State Treasurer announced today that the Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board has released its first Annual Report, now available on the Treasurer's website. The report, reviewed and approved at the Board's January 9 meeting at the State Office Building in Hartford, provides a comprehensive overview of the Endowment's progress and priorities.

"This first annual report reflects the promise and progress of the Early Childhood Education Endowment," said State Treasurer Erick Russell, who is charged with administering, investing, and distributing the funds in the Endowment. "By securing a permanent source of funding, we are building a foundation that ensures every child in Connecticut has access to high-quality early learning opportunities. These investments strengthen families, support our workforce, and create long-term benefits for our economy and communities."

Highlights of the Annual Report include:

• Historic investment: Connecticut enacted Public Act 25-93 in 2025, launching the Early Childhood Education Endowment with an initial $300 million deposit to provide stable, long-term funding for early childhood care and education.

• Strong initial growth and strategic expenditures: As of November 30, 2025, the Endowment totaled $319.6 million, with expenditures of $469,299 primarily to support Smart Start expansion.

• Early system impact: In its first six months, the Endowment supported an 8% increase in Early Start CT reimbursement rates, expanded Smart Start preschool classrooms, and laid the groundwork for more than 1,000 new child care spaces anticipated to open in 2026.

• Community-driven implementation: The Office of Early Childhood (OEC) conducted extensive outreach, including six listening sessions (in-person and virtual, including Spanish), public forums on the new Single Point of Entry Portal, a formal public hearing with nearly 50 public testimonies, and the release of Endowment fact sheets for providers, families, and local partners.

"The Early Childhood Education Endowment is an historic step to establish a sustainable long-term investment in early childhood that will build over time and have lasting effects for future generations of children and families," said OEC Interim Commissioner Elena Trueworthy. "The first year of available funding in the Endowment enables Connecticut to provide affordable, accessible infant, toddler and preschool spaces for families, strengthens the early childhood workforce through increased provider payment rates, and supports local planning to best serve the needs of the community. OEC's vision for building a strong early childhood system has been informed over the years through extensive outreach to providers, families, and partners."

"While the Early Childhood Education Endowment is not even a year old, it has already supported a significant increase in child care reimbursement and provided much-needed new child care spaces in our state, creating a strong, positive start," said State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton), Senate Chair of the Advisory Board. "I am delighted to work with the Office of Early Childhood and the Treasurer's office to create a transformation in early child care throughout our state."

"The Endowment is already delivering for kids, families, and early education providers across Connecticut," said State Representative Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford/Newington), House Chair of the Advisory Board. "Now, we must continue its sustainable funding to reach the promise of what the Early Childhood Education Endowment can achieve."

At its January 9 meeting, in addition to reviewing and releasing the Annual Report and reviewing public comments from the listening sessions and public hearing, the Advisory Board approved bylaws to guide future governance and operations.

About the Early Childhood Education Endowment

The Early Childhood Education Endowment was created to provide a permanent source of funding for early childhood education programs in Connecticut, including:

• Expanded opportunities that make early childhood care and education available at no cost to families enrolled in Early Start CT who earn up to $100,000 per year, and on a sliding scale of no more than 7% of income for families earning more than $100,000 per year beginning in FY 2028.

• Expanded access for infants and toddlers, with at least 35% of new spaces dedicated to this underserved population.

• Support for the child care workforce, including a focus on wages, scholarships, and a new health insurance subsidy program.

• Quality improvement requirements to ensure strong educational outcomes and family engagement.

The Endowment is managed by the Office of the Treasurer and overseen by an advisory board.

About the Office of the Treasurer

The Office of the Treasurer is charged with safeguarding Connecticut's financial resources through prudent cash and debt management, with the State Treasurer serving as principal fiduciary for six state pension and twelve state trust funds. Additionally, the Office enhances the state's fiscal stability through programs promoting financial literacy and college savings, and it leverages business partnerships to support the advancement of Connecticut's social and policy priorities. The Office is led by State Treasurer Erick Russell, the first Black out LGBTQ person to win an election for statewide office in American history. Visit: Connecticut Office of the Treasurer Erick Russell.

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Contact: Brett Cody
[email protected] | (959) 529-2468