State funded pre-k programs in CT?

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

Does anyone know anything about state funded pre-k programs in CT? Do these programs only exist in certain towns, or does every school district have one? Anyone have eligibility info (financial, age of kid, etc). I read that they have programs for 3 and 4 year olds. That's all I know. I was wondering what the deadlines are in terms of birth dates. We will probably be moving to CT this summer, and our son will be 3 on October 19. I was wondering if he would be able to participate in this kind of program. Also, does the kid need to be fully potty trained? I don't know if my son would be. It's kind of hard to predict that since it's so far off still.

[NewJeffCT]

1. I have no idea, but I'm going to have to start looking myself

I know in my town of Ellington, they have a place called Preschool of the Arts, but it costs $130 a week, which is 5 days a week & includes day care time (i.e, if you work 8-6 or something, you can leave the child there until that time)... I can't imagine finding regular day care for that cheap, so it must be partially funded by the town or the state.

I know your child has to be potty trained.

My daughter will be 3 in 13 months.

[SarahB]

2. A lot of stuff revolves around potty training.

Unfortunately, this has put me into a bit of a quandary of having to shell out extra bucks because my 3 year old son still refuses to poop in the potty 75% of the time. :( I have had to work during the day recently (but am moving almost exclusively to nights) and we had to pay $200 a week for full-time care. Now thankfully, he'll only need it about once a week, but that's still $50 a week.

Anyway, Connecticut has very little subsidized child care options unless you are very poor and your child qualifies for Head Start. One of the things I'd recommend however (my original degree in in early childhood ed. and now I work in pediatric medicine and I'm pursuing my RN) is to look at the childcare centers at local colleges- Trinity College in Hartford has, I believe, a Montessori school, St. Joseph's College in West Hartford has a good reputation, as well as the programs at some of the area community colleges. Sometimes the cost is a bit easier to swallow and the quality is excellent. When looking for a center, the thing to look for is NAEYC accreditation (or a center in pursuit of it) because that tends to be the standard for a quality program. Visit lots of places. Ask questions.

Best wishes in your pursuits. :)