NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Hopes for the New Haven Early Childhood Care Center are growing thanks to federal and local funding.
The facility now has space to accommodate an additional 16 infants. The expansion is part of Gov. Ned Lamont's push to expand early childhood education across the state.
Executive Director Georgia Goldburn said this is the first time the center will be full since the pandemic began.
“Many centers are not operating at full capacity because they don't have the staff in the classrooms to open the classrooms and serve families who are on waiting lists for six months to a year and are suffering,” Goldburn said. said.
During Friday's tour and ribbon-cutting ceremony, state and city leaders focused on the national talent shortage.
Connecticut Early Childhood Education Commissioner Beth Bye said the New Haven center could be a model for workforce development.
“This, today… [Hope for New Haven] It shows what the future of early childhood can look like if we all continue to work together and support early childhood,” said Bye.
Lamont is requesting more than $40 million in additional funding in the next budget to help.
“I think this is the one thing that everyone agrees on: what it means for kids to start their education, what it means for businesses, and what it means to help people get back to work. That's true,” Lamont said. “There's broad support in Congress, certainly for me, and I think it's the same in Washington.”
Goldburn said the funding and expansion will impact early development, families and other employers.
“The ability to find teachers is limiting our ability to serve our children. Many employers are unable to attract people into the workforce, and many parents are unable to find child care. , that's how I feel,” Goldburn said.
