With more than 3.5 million people spread across just over 5,500 square miles, Connecticut is a densely populated state along the United State’s eastern sea coast. Of these 3.5 million people, more than 500 thousand are children under age 12. The latest information gathered about these children shows that of the 420,000 families in Connecticut just over 150,000 families are an active part of the workforce. That means that up to 161,013 children under age six are in potential need of childcare.
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Childcare in Connecticut is often nationally ranked and many centers provide national accreditation ratings. In fact, 25% of centers have attained this elite status that is only awarded to centers with who excel in important areas such as cleanliness and student to teacher ratios.
Statistics gathered show that 40% of families are seeking care for infant and toddler aged children. Another 38% of families need care for children who are preschool aged. Only 20% of families seek professional childcare for children who are in school and need supervision only before and after classes. The cost of childcare is directly proportional the demand by age group. Connecticut comes in near the top of the top of the national spread ($4,650- $18,200) in childcare cost for both infants and preschool aged children. Families can expect to pay just over $12,000 annually for infant/toddler care and just over $10,000 for ages four through school aged children. Once children are in school and demand for adult supervision drops the cost plummets to just over $5,000 annually.
Because of these high costs several programs have been established to help families meet the financial burden of childcare. The state currently has more than 10,000 participating providers in the Child Care and Development Fund.
Connecticut offers a wide variety of activities to their child based families. Some of the more popular choices for entertainment with children are along the coastline where kids can climb aboard old whaling boats and experience what life would have been like for residents hundreds of years ago. Mountain biking and hiking through uninhabited hills is another popular way to get outside. There is a state dinosaur museum that is a hit with older children. Mom and dad can find more adult centered activities at one of the state’s casinos or fine wineries or breweries.
