Summer is in full swing, and we hope you are busy making memories with your family! Check out our June newsletter for information on the Summer Lunch Program and you can learn about the Southington Public Library's Summer Reading program here.
Camp Sparkler is BACK for another fun-filled summer of growing & learning for families with children 0-5 years old! Families can play their way through eight weeks of free, virtual camp to explore topics related to social and emotional learning: from feelings to belonging! The host of Sparkler’s Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast will kick off each week by sharing some kids’ words about the big idea of the week. Families can sing/dance to songs on the topic and play along (for free!) in the Sparkler app.
Learn more about Sparkler at https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/sparkler/
You may have seen the recent headlines like “House Bill Providing Free, Reduced Cost Child Care Heads to Lamont’s Desk” or “New program to help support affordable childcare.” Unfortunately, some of the news media was not clear about the timing of this assistance, which programs will offer these spots, or who will be eligible. Since the ECS has received questions about this announcement, specifically from parents wanting to find free childcare this summer, we put together this summary.
The state legislature passed Senate Bill 1 which establishes a state-managed Early Childhood Education Endowment fund starting on July 1, 2025. The endowment is slated to fund a multi-pronged approach to make childcare more accessible for families and more sustainable for providers.
1. Funding
The formula used for Early Childhood Education Endowment fund is based on the State of Connecticut unappropriated general fund surplus. The new fund has received an initial transfer of $300 million. The plan is for the fund will continue to grow with annual funding from budget surpluses and investments.
2. Timing
The Early Childhood Education Endowment fund was established in 2025, but money will not be spent out of this endowment fund until later. A tuition subsidy that would make childcare slots free for families making under $100,000 per year and cap tuition at 7 percent of a family’s income above $100,000 starts in Fiscal Year 2028.
3. Current Capacity
Only state-funded childcare spots can be offered for free under this endowment. Early Start CT is the new Connecticut program which provides funding to childcare programs, it combines 3 existing programs — Child Day Care Contracts, School Readiness Grants, and State Head Start Supplement Grants — into 1 new program. Here in Southington, there is currently only one Early Start CT childcare program, the Margaret Griffin Child Development Center. Through June 2027 they will receive state funding for 45 preschool slots which they currently offer to low-income families on a sliding scale.
4. Community Need
When you compare Margaret Griffin’s 45 state funded slots to the more than 2000 babies born to Southington families in the last five years, especially given a 26% free and reduced lunch rate in the public school district, it is clear there are not nearly enough state-funded programs in town. The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) recognizes that communities have different needs. In order to connect with local communities, the OEC is establishing “Local Governance Partners” (LGPs) to support families and collect feedback about needs. Starting this summer, the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington will serve in this LGP role. In 2026 the LGPs across the state will be tasked with conducting a community needs assessment to identify the needs of families. The results of this survey will help the OEC determine how many state-funded slots there should be and where they should be located.
5. Future Capacity
Senate Bill 1 also calls for an increase in the total number of state-funded childcare slots, including for infants and toddlers. After the needs assessments are complete, the OEC will then put out a request for applications where all childcare providers can apply to receive state-funded slots as of July 2027. The OEC plans to create an online system where families can match their need for care with open state-funded childcare slots.
6. How You Can Help
We will be asking families to complete the community needs assessment when it is released in 2026. The ECCS is starting to recruit people to join their new “Community Table” advisory group which will help identify what Southington families need and to advocate for more funding. If interested in learning more about becoming a part of the Community Table or the ECCS Board of Directors, please contact the ECCS Executive Director at southingtonearlychildhood@gmail.com.
7. Finding Care Now
In the meantime, if you are looking for childcare, the ECCS has lists all the licensed providers in town in their Resource Directory and also tries to track childcare openings. The CT Care4Kids childcare subsidy program is accepted by several childcare providers in town and a few offer programs financial assistance.
With so many great outdoor spaces to offer, it is important to remain safe so you can have fun all summer long!
Outdoor Safety
Connecticut is beautiful in the summer and with so many outdoor spaces to explore, it is important, especially with young children, to know what plants to watch out for and to reduce the risk of bug bites and stings.
Learn more about Outdoor Safety at https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/outdoor-safety/
Water Safety
Children and teens drown in open water about as often as in pools with 973 children drowned in 2021 and thousands ending up in the ER. The number one rule is to NEVER leave a child unattended around or in a body of water and even something as simple as the color of bathing suit can help reduce the risk of drowning and injury.
Learn more about Water Safety at https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/water-safety/
Helmet Safety
Per Connecticut State Law, children under 16 must wear a helmet while riding: Bicycles, Scooters, Skateboards, Rollerskates, and In-line Skates. Look for the ASTM or CPSC certification labels to know what activities your helmet is suited for.
Learn more about Bicycle and Helmet Safety at https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/health-development/bicycle-safety/
Weather Safety
From sun protection to staying hydrated, understanding the best practices for different temperatures and weather conditions can help prevent heatstroke, sunburn, and frostbite.
Learn more about Weather Safety at https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/weather-safety/
Our town has many amazing, free outdoor spaces and events. Here are just a few that Southington has to offer. Learn more about local outdoor spaces at http://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/resourcecat/outdoor-spaces/
Recreation Park on Maxwell Noble Drive, Plantsville
This 37-acre facility has a children's playscape, wading and swimming pool, picnic groves, and a gazebo/community pavilion. There are softball, baseball, soccer, and football fields and tennis, basketball, volleyball and bocce courts. Several competitive sports leagues meet here. The Southington Drive-in is located on the property and shows family-friendly movies on Saturday nights in the summer. The Southington Recreation Department's free Kid's Entertainment Series shows are held on Tuesday evenings beginning at 6:00 PM at the Community Pavilion on the Southington Drive-In, view the schedule. The pool is open to Southington residents Monday-Friday, 12 PM - 8 PM, Saturday & Sunday, 10 AM - 8 PM, and Lap Swim Tuesday & Thursday, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
Veterans Memorial Park at 776 Woodruff Street, Southington
This park offers a duck pond (no fishing), picnic grove, playscape, basketball and tennis courts, and football and baseball fields. The pool and splash pad is now open to Southington residents Monday-Friday, 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM, and Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Free Little Libraries
Southington has multiple Free Little Libraries all over town. The Little Free Library mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led book-exchange boxes. Find Free Little Libraries at https://www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/resourcecat/libraries/
The Southington Farmers Market is held on the Town Green every Friday from 3 to 6 pm until September 26th. The ECCS will be exhibiting on these dates:
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July 25, 2025
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August 8, 2025
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August 22, 2025
On August 22nd, we will also be holding our 3rd Annual Summer Bookmobile Tour to give out FREE books with Read to Grow! Stops include the Margaret Griffin Child Development Center and the Southington Farmers Market. Exact times and locations will be posted as the event draws near.
For more details, visit www.southingtonearlychildhood.org/events/ or follow us on our social media.
Did you know that you can set up a small, recurring donation to the ECCS?
"Consistent monthly contributions, especially when automated, turn generosity into a habit and create lasting impact without the need for constant reminders." - Brian Williams, ECCS Board Member
1) Follow us on your favorite social media platforms and then like, comment, or share so your friends see our posts too!
2) Forward this email to a friend or colleague.
3) Volunteer your time as a board member or advocate.
4) Help with one-time or periodic donations.
Copyright © 2025 Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington, all rights reserved.
Our mailing address:
Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington
PO Box 210
Southington, CT 06489-0210