About Us
The New Haven Early Childhood Collaborative (NHECC) began in 1997 when the State of CT created the Early Start CT Preschool Grant Program to provide affordable, high-quality early care and education services in high-need communities that help young children prepare for kindergarten. This grant program funds spaces at child care centers for children ages 3, 4, and 5 who aren’t yet eligible for kindergarten.
The collaborative is made up of community members appointed by the Mayor of New Haven and the Superintendent of New Haven Public Schools. Members include a representative from the Mayor’s Office, a representative from New Haven Public Schools, parents and interested community members, representatives from a wide range of programs that serve children ages 0 to 8 years old and
What does the New Haven Early Childhood Collaborative do?
Originally referred to as the New Haven School Readiness Council, the NHECC is responsible for managing the process for applying for Early Start CT Preschool Grant Program funds. The collaborative releases an application each year and for deciding which providers will be awarded these funds each year. In partnership with New Haven Public Schools, they are also responsible for ensuring that the centers who receive these grants are providing high quality child care to the families they serve.
Over the past nearly two decades, the collaborative has expanded its work beyond managing these grant funds to supporting the broader Early Childhood community in New Haven. The Collaborative’s work is accomplished through its committees which are comprised of NHECC members as well as parents, community members, New Haven Public School staff and representatives of other organizations that work with children from birth to age 8.
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