On May 14, 2025, over 60 community members—including childcare providers, parents, children, educators, and advocates—gathered at Hatters Park for the 4th Annual Morning Without Child Care rally. Organized locally by the Danbury Collective, Cora’s Kids, and the United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut, the event was part of a coordinated statewide day of action led by the Child Care for Connecticut coalition, which urged lawmakers to prioritize accessible, affordable, and high-quality childcare.

This year’s Danbury rally highlighted the critical role of childcare in the local economy and family well-being, while drawing attention to the state’s urgent need for investment and reform.

“Connecticut families are facing an impossible choice—pay for childcare or pay the bills,” said Elizabeth Quinonez, senior director of the Early Childhood Initiative at United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut. “This is not sustainable for our families or our economy. We need real legislative solutions now.”

"I cannot tell you enough how important early childcare is and how we see the difference in the students that come to us with the structured environment they’ve had, and the love and confidence they have when they come out of high-quality childcare,” emphasized Dr. Kara Casimiro, superintendent of Danbury Public Schools. “There is nothing more important—it is the cornerstone and bedrock in our community.”

Fanny Rodriguez, a local home childcare provider, added, “We give our hearts and our homes to care for children, but we can’t do this work without proper support. Fair pay and funding are not luxuries—they’re necessities.”

The event featured storytelling, colorful signs, and chants calling for bold policy changes, including legislative support for HB 5003, SB 1, HB 6867, and SB 1369. These bills aim to make childcare more affordable, expand access, and support early childhood educators. “Parents pay too much. Educators make too little,” said Melissa Hannequin, Executive Director of the Danbury Collective. “Providers can barely survive, and children can’t thrive.”

Danbury School Readiness Coordinator Eileen Costello added, “Our families want to work. We want to give children a strong foundation. We need lawmakers to hear our call—this is about the future of our state.”

Following the rally, families participated in the Sparkler Family Fun Event, with face painting, free books, and information about the Sparkler app—a free developmental tool for children from birth to age five. Attendees also signed a petition urging legislative action.

In a significant step forward, Connecticut lawmakers passed two major childcare bills just weeks later. Senate Bill 1 establishes a $300 million Early Childhood Education Endowment, aiming to create 16,000 new childcare slots by 2030. Families earning under $100,000 will qualify for free care, while others will pay no more than 7% of their income. According to reports by the CT Mirror, it also raises wages and expands benefits for childcare workers.

House Bill 5003 complements this by creating a centralized childcare portal and allowing small providers to expand enrollment under new safety standards as reported by CT News Junkie.

Together, these new laws reflect a growing movement across Connecticut—including in Danbury—to transform the state’s childcare system for the better.