The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and WBDC are pleased to offer grants of up to $50,000 to qualified Connecticut early childhood businesses to support operations and preserve child care access.
OEC-WBDC Program Operations Grants provide short-term funding to support OEC-licensed early childhood education programs. The grants are designed to help programs maintain their existing early childhood slots.
Grant funds will be awarded to eligible programs serving high and medium needs families, as defined by OEC. Funding is intended to support core operational expenses, including staffing, materials, facility costs, and other critical business needs that ensure ongoing service to families and communities.
This is a one-time funding opportunity made possible by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC).
Make sure to read the Eligibility section below before beginning the process to apply. You may also attend an Information Session to learn more (scroll down for link).
Important: If you have any questions during the application process, please email us at operationsgrant@ctwbdc.org. WBDC advisors are here to assist you at no cost with 1:1 advising to help guide you.
Application Period
Tue, May 12 - Mon, May 25, 7:00PM
Anticipated Dates:
End of June: Decision notification
July: Classes for awardees
Mid-summer: Expect to disburse payments
Learn About the Program Operations Grant Program
Those that meet all of the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
- Licensed with CT OEC as a family home, group home, or center before November 1, 2025
- Operating full-time (at least 40 hours/week and at least 48 weeks/year), with enrolled children
- Served families on Care 4 Kids in the past 2 years (since May 1, 2024)
- 50% or less of license capacity funded by Early Start CT
- No open OEC consent order; programs with closed consent orders in past 24 months subject to eligibility review.
- Centers and group homes:
- At least 65% of license capacity enrolled full-time equivalent (FTE)
- If licensed May-Nov 2025: at least 40% of license capacity enrolled (FTE)
- Licensed for less than 150 slots
- Have less than $1.5 million annual program budget
- Operating in a high to medium needs community with 22-35 combined Child Care Access/Child Opportunity Index score points –
Click here to check your program’s eligibility by ZIP code
- At least 65% of license capacity enrolled full-time equivalent (FTE)
- Family child care homes:
- At least 4 full-time equivalent (FTE) children enrolled (including school age)
- If licensed May-Nov 2025: at least 3 FTE children enrolled
- Operating in a high to medium needs community with 21-35 combined Child Care Access/Child Opportunity Index score points –
Click here to check your program’s eligibility by ZIP code
- At least 4 full-time equivalent (FTE) children enrolled (including school age)
Additionally required:
Ability to report how funding will support business operations
Willingness to attend WBDC post-award class (June–July) as a condition of funding
The following early childhood programs are NOT eligible:
- Part time (less than 40 hours) and/or part year programs (less than 48 weeks)
- Municipally-run/owned centers, License-exempt centers, and Youth camps
- Unlicensed relative care
Note: Programs with multiple licensed sites may apply for funding for each license that meets the eligibility criteria above.
Note: Funds cannot be used for real estate purchases, renovations for a leased building with less than 3 years left on lease, projects that are fully covered by insurance, wish list upgrades not required for operations, or for owner’s salary/draw.
*For this Program, the definition of full-time is:
- Full-time for centers (DCCC), group homes (DCGH) programs means that 75% or more of the classrooms in your program operate at least 40 hours per week for at least 48 weeks per year.
- Full-time for family child care homes means that your program operates 40 hours or more per week for at least 48 weeks per year.
Funding Amount: Awards are determined by a funding formula based on program type and program size. Eligible family child care homes will receive a flat award of $5,000. Eligible child care centers and group homes will receive a fixed award ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, determined by program size.
Eligible Uses of Funds: Eligible uses include core operational expenses, including staffing, materials, facility costs, and other critical business needs that ensure continuity of care.
Ineligible Uses of Funds: Funds cannot be used for expansion projects, including real estate purchases and renovations not needed beyond general maintenance. Funds may not be used for owner’s salary/draw.
Join us for a Grant Information Session to learn about what the funding can be used for, eligibility requirements, and what to expect with the application. Attendance at these sessions is optional.
May 14, 6:00 – 7:00 PM English – Register here
May 18, 1:00 – 2:00 PM English – Register here
Si prefiere una sesión en español, inscríbase en una de las siguientes sesiones:
14 de mayo a las 6:00 Spanish – link
18 de mayo a las 1:00 PM Spanish – link
Not the right grant for you? See WBDC’s other Child Care Business Grant programs.
Prepare Your Application
Before you begin your application, you will be required to create a profile in WBDC’s eCenter portal to provide general information about you and your business. This will also unlock access to WBDC’s no-cost classes, advising, and events.
If you are an existing WBDC client that has used eCenter before to register for classes, you will need to review and update your eCenter Profile by logging into eCenter, and clicking “My Information” on the left.
If you are an existing WBDC client that has not used eCenter before, click the link below to get to our eCenter. Then click “Forgot Password” in the top right corner. Enter your email and follow the on-screen prompts to access to your profile. Once logged in, click “My Information” on the left to complete or update your information.
The application will contain:
- Eligibility questions
- General business questions
- Intended use of funds (payroll, rent, etc.)
Documentation you’ll need to provide:
- April 2026 attendance report showing child details
- Either a Copy of ID (state ID, driver’s license, or passport) OR your latest bank statement showing name/business name & address
- Voided check from bank account
- W-9 Form
Additional Resources
How to Get a Voided Check or Direct Deposit Form
A voided check is a blank check with “VOID” written across it so it cannot be used for payment but still shows your account details (routing and account number).
Download from your bank:
(Each bank has its own set of unique set of instructions. So instructions may vary.)
- Sign in to your account
- Select your business bank account
- Click or tap “show details” or “account services”
- Click or tap on “Set up direct deposit form”
- Download a copy
If you do not have paper checks: The fastest method is to log in to your bank’s online mobile app and download a voided check or deposit form. You can also visit your branch with your ID and ask for the documents.
Each document should clearly show:
- Routing Number
- Account Number
- Check Number
- Account Name
- Banking Institution
This form is required as funding received will be considered taxable income. That’s because a W-9 provides the payer with the information needed to report certain payments to the IRS, including your legal name, address, and Taxpayer Identification Number (such as a Social Security number or EIN). Businesses use this information to issue Form 1099s if awarded.
Here are instructions on how to complete your W-9 Form: Filling Out the W-9
Blank copy of Form W-9
If you’d like assistance completing this form, join us for no-cost virtual office hours:
Coming soon (English)
Coming soon (Spanish)
These grants are made possible through the generous financial support of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC).
