Connecticut Child Care Business Start-Up Grant
Women's Business Development Council (WBDC)
Up to $5K–$25K
CT child care startup grant
A grant program funded by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and administered by the Women's Business Development Council that helps new and recently-licensed child care providers cover startup costs. Awards scale by license type: up to $5,000 for family child care homes, up to $10,000 for group homes, and up to $25,000 for licensed child care centers. Eligible applicants are close to becoming OEC-licensed or have been operating with enrolled children for less than one year. The program runs as an annual competitive cycle (historically a February application window) and prioritizes infant/toddler care, Care 4 Kids acceptance, and underserved early-childhood communities.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $5,000 – $25,000
- Realistic amount
- Family child care home applicants typically receive up to $5,000; centers up to $25,000. Awa…
- Deadline
- Annual cycle — historically a February application window (Feb 1–28). FY2025 round closed Feb 28, 2025. Next round expected in the same annual cadence.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- Connecticut
- Payment model
- milestone
Who qualifies
- Close to becoming OEC-licensed as a full-time family home, group home, or center, OR currently OEC-licensed with enrolled children for less than one year
- Pursuing a license or recently licensed with OEC for the first time
- Initial OEC site inspection scheduled or completed
- In good standing with the CT Department of Revenue Services (DRS), or on a payment plan
- Demonstrates financial need for startup costs
- Not a prior WBDC grant recipient; not a municipally-run, license-exempt, or out-of-state program
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Equipment, furniture, and fixtures for the child care space
- Educational and classroom supplies
- Minor renovations to meet licensing requirements
- Startup operating costs documented in the use-of-funds tracker
Ineligible expenses
- Owner compensation
- Real estate purchase
- Costs already reimbursed by other funding (e.g., OEC-LISC grantees)
- Expenses unrelated to launching the licensed program
How to apply
-
1
Create eCenter profile
Register a profile on the WBDC eCenterDirect portal before starting the application.
~1 hrs
-
2
Attend a grant information session
Attend a live session or watch the recording (English or Spanish) to understand grant scope and eligibility — this is required.
~1 hrs
-
3
Prepare financials and use-of-funds tracker
Complete the Proposed Use of Funds Tracker (itemized costs/vendors), historical financial statements (P&L; balance sheet for non-home providers), and one-year financial projections. Obtain a CT DRS status letter via myconneCT.
~6 hrs
-
4
Complete and submit the application
Fill out sections on business background, use of grant funds, business narrative, supporting documents, and compliance/consent during the open window. Optional 1:1 advising with a WBDC business advisor is available.
~4 hrs
WBDC explicitly prioritizes infant/toddler programs, Care 4 Kids acceptance, and for-profit family child care models in underserved communities — name these factors prominently in your narrative. The free 1:1 advising and 'Grant Prep' sessions materially improve the quality of the financial projections that the review committee scores on.
Deadline & timing
WBDC opens a defined application window once per year (recently February). Applicants must create an eCenter profile and attend a grant information session before applying. Check ctwbdc.org for the next window.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.