The program was established in 1997 under Connecticut Public Act #97-259 An Act Concerning School Readiness and Child Day Care. The initiative was developed to encourage families to enroll their preschool children in high quality affordable child care programs.

The School Readiness and Child Day Care Grant strives to meet three (3) objectives:

1. Increase the number of spaces available in quality child care programs
2. Increase the number of full-day, full year child care spaces
3. Allow for a cost sharing between families, the state and its various agencies, and communities

East Hartford School Readiness (EHSR) began providing quality child care slots in 1997. Since then, the EHSR program has grown to have available child care spaces at six (6) different sites located around the town of East Hartford.

Families wishing to enroll in EHSR programs must meet certain eligibility requirements. These requirements include:

• Children enrolling in the program must reside in East Hartford
• Families must be charged a fee based on household income
• Families must enroll their children in a full-day program (7-10 hours a day, 5 days a week), a school-day program (6 hours a day, 5 days a week), or a part-day program (2.5 -6 hours a day, 5 days a week)

Besides providing quality child care spaces, the EHSR program also offers workshops for families, child care providers, and relative care providers. The EHSR program offers CPR and 1st Aid training, Child Development Associate Credentials, Early Childhood Education conferences, health care services, books, activities, and other materials to enhance Early Childhood Education.

The East Hartford School Readiness program is more than care for children. It is a program that helps the families and members of our community with their individual needs as well as giving children a great start in life.