Child Care Business Expansion Grant Program

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is offering the Child Care Business Expansion Grant Program to support the growth of child care businesses in Connecticut. This program provides grants of up to $25,000 to OEC-licensed family homes, group homes, and centers to help expand operations and increase enrollment capacity. The goal of the grant is to support businesses in financial need that are looking to expand their services, create new revenue streams, or move from family home to group home or from group home to center. The grant will be awarded to applicants who demonstrate a clear and measurable impact on their business growth and profitability. Eligible applicants must have been in business for at least two years, have a minimum enrollment of 75% of their licensed capacity, and be in good standing with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. Applicants must also have a business banking relationship, use a formal bookkeeping system, and demonstrate financial need. Businesses seeking to open a new location must be close to obtaining licensure from the OEC. Additionally, applicants must have an annual revenue of less than $2,500,000. The funds from the grant cannot be used for real estate purchases, renovations of leased buildings with less than three years remaining on the lease, projects fully covered by insurance, non-essential upgrades, or the owner’s salary. Priority will be given to businesses serving infants and toddlers, those receiving Care4Kids, NAFCC or NAEYC-accredited programs, Head Start-approved programs, and those located in underserved early childhood education communities. Applications are being accepted now, with a deadline of March 3rd at 11:59 PM. The application process is competitive, and not all eligible applicants will receive funding. Businesses that have received a WBDC Start-up Grant, Emergency Facilities Grant, or Expansion Grant within the last six months for the same license number are ineligible. Additionally, part-time child care providers, municipal child care programs, and those outside of Connecticut cannot apply. Applicants must provide a proposed use of funds tracker, financial templates, and a status letter from the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. Information sessions and grant preparation sessions are available for applicants. Interested businesses are encouraged to attend these sessions and review the eligibility requirements before submitting an application. The grant program is funded through the generous financial support of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), with additional backing from municipal, corporate, and private contributors. Those seeking further funding options can contact WBDC for alternate opportunities. Application status updates will be sent via email, and applicants can reach out for assistance in English or Spanish.