HARTFORD, Conn — Gov. Ned Lamont announced a new state initiative Monday to fix staffing shortages in childcare.
The state is launching a first-of-its-kind apprenticeship program to train workers specifically for home-based, childcare jobs.
State officials say this is a win-win for workers and families, as apprentices will be paid while they learn and childcare jobs will be filled.
“We are essential supports for the parents in the lives of their families,” said Maria Amado, the National Association for Family Child Care’s 2023 Accredited Provider of the Year.
She owns and runs Green World Family Child Care in Hartford, one of the more than 1,800 home-based family care centers in Connecticut.
“When you walk in there, that's every bit as educational as a center-based preschool or a center-based childcare program,” said Beth Bye, commissioner of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. “Children are learning every minute and high-quality family childcare homes are part of our mixed delivery system.”
“A high-functioning economy really needs high-quality childcare, and Connecticut needs more spots for children so that their parents can join the workforce,” explained Danté Bartolomeo, commissioner of the Connecticut Dept. of Labor.
This program is the first of its kind in Connecticut and aims to bring workers into jobs, while creating choices for families.
“Teaching people while they earn their money, rather than sitting in a classroom. On-the-job training, getting paid and learning, is such a value,” state Rep. Tim Ackert, ranking member on the Labor Committee, said.
The program will require a minimum of 2,000 hours working on the job and hundreds of hours of classroom learning. Upon completion, family childcare providers will be fully credentialed.
“We need more folks like we have more people want to dedicate themselves to your daycare, childcare, infant and toddler,” said Lamont. “Speed it up, make it faster and easier, and make sure quality is never compromised.”
The state’s Office of Early Childhood says about 20 to 30 people are already signed up to start this program in 2024, but their goal is to have enrollment tripled by this time next year.
The office also wants to introduce a registered apprenticeship model for childcare centers in the future.
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