SECTION 2:
Current State of Facilities
Current State of Facilities
Child care facilities—the physical spaces where early childhood programs operate—play a critical role in shaping the supply and accessibility, quality, and sustainability of child care while supporting workforce development and the broader economy. For this report, LISC disseminated a survey open to all licensed providers in Connecticut, gathering insights into the current state of their child care facilities, desired improvements, and opportunities for expansion. Analyzing data collected through the Connecticut Early Childhood Facilities Construction and Renovation Grant Program and conducting the LISC Facilities Survey provided essential insights into the conditions of the facilities that house Connecticut’s early care and education programs. This section offers analysis and comments based on responses to the provider survey.
LISC Facilities Survey
CHARACTERISTICS OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS
Respondents stretched across cities and municipalities in all corners of the state and represented the multitude of choices of Connecticut’s mixed delivery child care system. We heard from 573 licensed providers (approximately 18% of all licensed programs): 258 center- based providers across 80 different communities and 315 family child care providers from 47 cities and municipalities. The survey data included below is broken down by two respondent categories: center-based and family-based.
Center-Based Respondents
BUSINESS TYPE
Of center-based respondents, 47% were non-profit entities and 44% were incorporated as for- profit corporations, while the remaining 9% operated as part of a larger system such as a public school or multi-site operators. The average program size for centers was 84 children.
FACILITY CHARACTERISTICS
The characteristics of a building—ownership, type, age, and condition—determine the specific flexible capital investment, technical assistance, and partnerships required to create high-quality, sustainable child care environments.
OWNED OR LEASED
A child care provider’s decision to own or lease a center is contingent upon their financial situation, long-term objectives, and the prevailing local market dynamics. The survey data indicates that in Connecticut, many programs are operating in leased spaces. Center-based providers frequently aspire to own their facilities. However, the reality presents challenges: finding suitable locations is difficult, initial investments are significant, and ongoing maintenance can be unaffordable. Consequently, infrastructure support systems must be designed to flexibly respond to the complexities of various real estate arrangements.
Center-Based Providers
lease
own
other (which could include donated space)
BUILDING TYPE
The reality is that most child care centers operate in repurposed spaces not originally constructed for child care. Facilities specifically built for child care meet the unique and specialized requirements that support best practices, such as appropriately sized spaces with natural light, bathrooms directly accessible from classrooms, and outdoor play areas. Repurposed spaces, usually retrofitted from another use (e.g., former offices or retail spaces), often demand extensive and costly modifications to create safe, developmentally appropriate learning environments. To ensure providers can create high-quality learning environments without undue financial burden, support is needed for both retrofitting existing spaces and encouraging the development of purpose-built facilities whenever feasible.
Center-Based Building Design
“I never imagined that since 2007, when I opened my daycare, my space would ever look like this.”
Yanerys Esperanza Azizr, Owner
Before
During
After
A Transformation at Little Superstars Daycare
Little Superstars Family Daycare in West Haven is undergoing an exciting transformation. Owner Yanerys Esperanza Aziz, who has been caring for children in her community since 2007, recently completed a major renovation through the ARPA-funded and LISC-administered Early Childhood Facilities Construction and Renovation grant program.
After months of applying and gathering contractor quotes, tax documents, and managing paperwork, Yanerys secured the funding to improve her daycare’s basement. The space had faced serious issues—water leaked through the main entry door during rainstorms, creating unsafe conditions. The old carpet also had mold, posing health risks.
With the grant, Yanerys replaced the deteriorating wood door with a new fiberglass one, stopping the leaks. The renovation came with challenges, including delays with contractors and unexpected flooring costs due to the basement being uneven. At times, the stress made it hard to keep going, but Yanerys stayed committed. She kept in close communication with the LISC Connecticut team, providing updates and navigating setbacks with determination.
Now that the project is complete, Yanerys is filled with joy. “I never imagined that since 2007, when I opened my daycare, my space would ever look like this,” she said, wiping away tears of happiness as she unpacked boxes in her new space. “My kids love it so much they don’t even want to go upstairs to eat.” The renovation has exceeded expectations, creating not just an improved space but a warm, safe, and nurturing environment where children can learn and grow every day.Providing quality spaces for early education and care is critical for children’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Well-maintained, safe, and engaging spaces enhance learning, while inadequate facilities can impede development and pose health risks.
“Due to being 125 years old, our building has electrical issues, some plumbing issues, lead paint - major issue, and many areas that need fixing up, but we don’t want to disturb the lead paint. We have a wall that desperately needs to be repaired and may have water damage.”
-CT Center-based Provider
Example of existing Connecticut building stock available for child care; prior to renovation
AGE OF BUILDING
The spaces that Connecticut’s child care programs occupy are old. This is a concerning data point considering the vital role of safe and healthy environments in optimal child development and underscores the urgent need for ongoing investment in the assessment, maintenance and modernization of these spaces.
- 44% built before 1978 (when lead paint was outlawed)
- 41% after 1978
- 15% not sure
BUILDING CONDITION
Survey respondents overwhelmingly expressed a need for health and safety upgrades and quality improvements to their facilities, but most reported a lack of financial resources to do so. To effectively support child care programs, state directed funding should allow for urgent health and safety issues, thus ensuring the quality and sustainability of existing spaces. Fund allocation should be based on need, with particular attention to providers serving low-income communities or high-need areas.
Of those who responded “YES” to Quality or Health and Safety Upgrades Needed
need quality upgrades
need quality upgrades
78% of centers indicated a need for quality upgrades and 67% indicated the need for health and safety upgrades
Health and Safety Improvements Needed
Quality Improvements Needed
“Our rent and operational costs have significantly increased while enrollment has decreased. The majority of families we service are middle class professionals that have the opportunity to work remotely. They often offset their rising costs by dropping from full time to part time enrollments. Therefore that leaves less money for improvements. It is hard to compete with other centers in the community that have received grants in regards to gaining new enrollments.”
-CT Center-based Provider
Only 23% of centers reported having savings to address urgent facility repairs
Affordable Learning Center, Hartford, CT
FACILITY FUNDING SHORTFALLS
Today, there is no dedicated source of federal or state funding for early learning facilities and there is no national set of standards around early learning spaces. Facility improvements and expansions are costly, with much of the financial burden falling on the small business owners operating early care programs. They often do not have enough savings and have difficulty securing loan funding for business expansion or improvements, while others cannot afford the additional debt. The high costs of construction and renovation, combined with limited funding sources, further hinder growth.
Of those who have money saved for urgent facility issues, responses varied by business type:
With limited funding resources, it is difficult for many providers to consistently budget for necessary facilities upkeep and repairs, which can result in costly deferred maintenance issues.
Annual Budget Includes Funding for Building Repairs
Indicated a need for playground improvements
PHYSICAL SPACE CHALLENGES AND NEEDS
Early learning spaces, furniture, and materials endure heavy use from many active young children. Easy-to-clean floors, walls, and equipment are crucial for creating an environment that encourages exploration while simultaneously ensuring safety and hygiene. Surveyed providers expressed an urgent and critical need to improve their spaces. New furnishings or equipment rank highest, closely followed by increased storage, interior flooring upgrades, and bathroom renovations.
Space Challenges and Needs
OUTDOOR PLAY SPACE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED
Playgrounds and outdoor space improvements were a dominant trend among respondents. A significant portion of center-based providers cited a need to improve or focus on their outdoor play spaces. In addition, more than 20% of center-based providers revealed a need to improve the overall curb appeal and parking areas. Access to nature and outdoor play space is crucial to child development. Moreover, effective exterior upgrades can attract and retain families. Securing or dedicating funds for exterior repairs, upgrades, and outdoor space needs proved to be a significant barrier for many providers.
PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY TO WEATHER THE STORM
Young children are among the most vulnerable to environmental hazards, and many child care facilities operate in older buildings that may be ill-equipped to withstand challenges caused by natural disasters. Funding and support for infrastructure that is resilient against natural disasters protects children, reduces disruptions, and safeguards investments in early learning environments.
In the survey, a question regarding concerns about increased weather-related and other environmental challenges was included. This was due to the volume of grant requests that indicated the need for HVAC upgrades to mitigate increased heat in recent summers, funds to address recent flood damage, including mold, and purifiers to address air and water quality. However, survey results indicated a lower percentage of providers concerned with environmental issues.
As the state contemplates continued funding for early care facilities, sustainability measures to ensure the health and safety of children should be recognized, with proper technical assistance and supports offered to providers, to best plan for weather-related events.
INCREASING EXISTING CENTER CAPACITY
Thirty-seven percent (37%) of center-based providers indicated that they have space available for expansion, but most cite financial barriers as the primary reason for not moving forward. Others have explored expanding into existing buildings, but many require significant modernization, environmental assessments, and costly upgrades to meet regulatory standards for early childhood care.
- Over 75% of providers located in medium to high desertification areas reported expansion potential; investments in these facilities could directly address child care gaps in communities where access is most limited. By prioritizing funding in areas with low child care availability, policymakers can make significant impact by increasing supply where it’s most needed.
- The fact that nearly half (46%) of providers who indicated expansion potential have active waitlists highlights the urgent need for increased capacity. Investing in these providers ensures that resources have an immediate impact on families struggling to find quality child care.
“We’re outgrowing our current space. Enrollment continues to increase, especially in the toddler program which is feeding our preschool program. We have three additional classroom spaces that would need to be updated including HVAC, hot water, and lead paint abatement before possibly turning them into classrooms.”
-CT Center-based Provider
Investing in existing child care facilities is an essential component to increasing supply. Targeted funding for renovations, planning support such as environmental assessments, and early care regulatory upgrades would allow providers to utilize existing infrastructure. By prioritizing financial support, policymakers can remove barriers that prevent expansion, ensuring that more families gain access to quality child care where demand is already high.
Family Child Care Respondents
FACILITY CHARACTERISTICS
OWNED OR LEASED
Licensing standards for child care spaces, like square footage and outdoor access, apply equally to renters and owners. Once quality early learning requirements are factored in, suitable residential properties become scarce. Supportive funding resources must meet the needs of both leased and owned spaces to maximize impact.
owned
leased
other
CAREGIVING SPACES
Family child care providers face unique facility considerations because their space most often serves both personal and business functions.
Resources should be designed to support quality, safety, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability while accommodating the unique needs of these settings:
- Time-space calculation – Family child care providers must calculate the portion of their expenses incurred for their home that can be attributed to their business. This calculation involves determining which areas of their home are dedicated to child care, which are personal, and which are shared, including the amount of time the homeis used for business. This impacts everything from tax deductions to access to the expertise and funding that can make a facilities project feasible while maintaining business sustainability.
- Rental and Homeowner Association (HOA) challenges – Not only do family providers need to meet child care licensing standards, but they are also subject to HOA rules, and decisions by landlords that may impact business operations and stability.
- Local zoning regulations – By law, family child care is allowed in all residential housing districts. Providers who want to expand from serving 9 children to 12 children move into the OEC Group Home license category and then are subject to increased OEC regulations, often mirroring those for center-based care.
- Local approval barriers – For family providers seeking to enter the Group category, zoning regulations begin to mirror Centers, often requiring onerous parking minimums and necessitating meeting certain health code enhancements, such as increased septic capacity. In addition, group homes may be subject to fire suppressant systems such as sprinklers. These zoning, building, and health codes can hinder the expansion of early care and education programs, especially in residential areas. In New York, 83% of family child care has a Large Family Child Care designation, allowing them to serve 12 children with an assistant. In CT, only 29, less than 2%, of the 1,800 FCCs have group home licenses to serve 12 children. Connecticut House Bill 6839 proposes to allow family child care providers to serve a maximum of 12 children, rather than 9, if the provider has an assistant or substitute staff member present.
- Wear and tear of the home - Child care programs experience extensive and intensive use of their building and outdoor spaces, increasing wear and tear and placing high demands on the physical infrastructure. For this reason, homes require frequent and ongoing maintenance and repairs.
- Balance - Operating within the home can also blur the lines between personal and professional life, requiring clear boundaries to protect provider and family well-being, privacy, and to maintain a structured environment for children.
“My biggest challenge is the parking spaces; I’m currently dealing with planning and zoning for approval application to have enough parking for my entire daycare program.”
– CT Family Child Care Provider
“I have an old house... Trees in my yard need to get cut down; one is dead and one is alive but leaning towards my house. My well works but it will need to be replaced since hand-dug wells only last so long and get clogged with dirt and cause issues. My gutters are broken, and my siding has holes so needs replacing. My playset is starting to rot and needs replacing; it’s very old but costs $20,000 brand new.”
-CT Family-based Provider
AGE OF BUILDING
Connecticut’s housing stock is considerably older than the national average, with the median age of housing 57 years, and child care spaces are no exception as reflected by survey responses. This is a concerning data point considering the vital role of safe and healthy environments in optimal child development and underscores the urgent need for ongoing investment in the maintenance and modernization of these spaces.
In 1978, the U.S. banned the use of lead-based paint in all residences. Over half (53%) of the family child care survey respondents indicated they operate in homes that were built prior to the implementation of this crucial health and safety regulation, with another 23% unsure of the age of their home. Housing built prior to 1978, and particularly units built prior to 1950, are most likely to contain lead-based paint and therefore pose the risk of exposure to children.
BUILDING CONDITION
Most of the family child care provider survey respondents reported a need for health, safety, and quality upgrades, yet do not have the funding to do so, reinforcing the need for funding and resources to support renovation and repair of existing sites.
Of those who responded “YES” to Quality or Health and Safety Upgrades Needed
need quality upgrades
need quality upgrades
79% of family child care providers indicated a need for quality upgrades and 75% indicated the need for health and safety upgrades
Age of Family Child Care Facility
Funds Available for Urgent Facility Issues
PHYSICAL SPACE CHALLENGES AND NEEDS
When assessing the needs of early learning and care spaces, it is crucial to acknowledge that family child care homes have additional quality improvement challenges. Repairs, updates, and improvements to exterior features, such as siding, gutters, windows and porches, may seem cosmetic in nature, but first impressions matter. Parents’ decisions about child care often rely on first impressions. While the external condition of the residence may not reflect the quality of the early care program inside, it nevertheless impacts parental perception of overall quality. Survey respondents indicated new equipment and furnishings and updates to the facility entrance to make the space safer and more welcoming as high on their list of needs.
Physical Space Challenges
FACILITY CONDITIONS, HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENT
Years of study have provided ample evidence indicating that certain building environments can pose a variety of health risks to its occupants. Young children are particularly prone to the effects of certain environmental conditions. The presence of lead or asbestos can lead to serious illnesses. Poorly operating HVAC systems, lack of ventilation, lack of air conditioning in hot summers, or unseen black mold can increase the risk of respiratory illnesses such as asthma and allergies and impact the general wellbeing of children.
Nearly 1 in 3 family child care survey respondents indicated at least one health and safety upgrade for their child care space.
STATUS OF OUTDOOR PLAY SPACE
Providers recognize the importance of good outdoor space. Developmentally appropriate outside environments offer opportunities to get outside frequently and throughout the day. Moreover, these outdoor play spaces may be the only outdoor exposure opportunity for some children, particularly those spending significant portions of the day in early learning settings or those living in areas with a lack of green space.
Playground Status
INCREASING HOME PROVIDER CAPACITY
Of the 163 family child care providers who expressed interest in expanding from a family child care (up to 9 full time children) to a group child care home (9-12 full time children), 81% cited cost as being too prohibitive.
Other major barriers to expansion included:
- Uncertainty on how to make that transition,
- Building and zoning regulations, and
- Lack of space in existing facility.
Of those wishing to expand, 90% are located in medium to high desertification areas. Strategic investment in these providers could significantly increase access to child care where it is most needed, ensuring that child care supply expands in alignment with local demand.
COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
When asked to share attributes that they most liked about their facility, 83% of all respondents identified at least one thing about their space and/or something about the work environment, such as personnel, community, and clientele. Providers have also been investing in their spaces with the limited funds they have. Throughout the survey responses, providers articulated their needs thoughtfully, often focusing on the impact to families and children in their care.Continued investments in early care facility upgrades and expansion projects can leverage the existing infrastructure and resourcefulness of the early childhood community; 573 of whom took the time to submit survey responses and share their stories of how, with limited resources, they are making a difference in early childhood programs across the state.
