Promoting Equitable Pandemic Recovery for Hartford’s Young Children

Across the nation, the COVID-19 pandemic has had widespread impacts on young children and the systems that support their healthy development.

In 2023, CTData partnered with the City of Hartford’s Division of Early Learning in the Department of Families, Children, Youth and Recreation to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the early care and education experiences and the development of young children in Hartford, and the supports that child care providers and families need. We analyzed administrative records from Hartford’s Early Childhood Data System, conducted a survey of Hartford child care providers, and facilitated focus groups with parents of young children in Hartford.

The goal of this work is to provide city administrators, policymakers, early childhood advocates, and early childhood service providers with data they can use to inform their work to promote equitable pandemic recovery for all of Hartford’s young children.