2026 Early Childhood Advocacy Day
with CT Early Childhood Alliance and CSEA/SEIU Local 2001
Wednesday, April 8 | 9 am to 3 pm
CT Capitol Building, Hartford
On Wednesday, April 8, join early childhood advocates from across the state to tell legislators why early childhood funding is vital for Connecticut’s children, families, businesses, and communities!
Bring your voice and your experience, and CTECA members and staff will be there to help with the rest.
All are welcome, and no experience is necessary!
2026 Advocacy Day Schedule
IMPORTANT NOTE: April 8 is currently scheduled to be a House Session day, so the building will be busy and the parking will go quickly! If you are driving to the Capitol, we highly recommend carpooling when possible, and arriving before 9 am to increase your odds of convenient parking!
Meet us near the Nathan Hale statue on the 1st floor of the Capitol for coffee/tea, light bites, and community!
9:00 to 10:00 am - Gather
Featuring legislators, advocates, and songs by the Capitol Child Development Center children’s choir!
10:00 am - Press Conference (Hall of Flags)
Join us at the rope lines to chat with legislators! Let them know why early childhood funding is so important - they need to hear your story! Come any time between 9 am and 3 pm - you don’t have to stay for the whole time!
After the Press Conference
We’ll have free t-shirts, materials to help you advocate, snacks, door prizes donated by our member organizations, and free lunch for advocates (RSVP required!) from 12-1pm near the Nathan Hale statue!
Kids Welcome!
Don’t miss the interactive early learning classroom installation and kids crafts, courtesy of Lakeshore Learning Materials!
And an added bonus for child care providers:
Any legislator who writes a supportive message on our magnetic STEM zone from Lakeshore Learning will be entered in a drawing to WIN the magnetic STEM zone (with all the bells and whistles!) for a child care provider in their district! Tell your legislators to stop by the South Lobby between 9 am and 3 pm - better yet, ask them to meet you there!
Thanks to Lakeshore Learning for their generosity and commitment to supporting early educators!
Photo courtesy of Lakeshore Learning Materials
Do you have questions?
We have answers!
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Please try to attend our press conference at 10 am! If you can stick around afterward to speak to legislators for a bit, even better!
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The easiest way to get to the Capitol is by parking near the Legislative Office Building (LOB) and using the underground tunnel that connects the LOB to the Capitol building.
For more info about parking and navigating the Capitol complex, click here.
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We’ll be all over the building, but the first three places you should check are all on the first floor:
Lakeshore Learning classroom installation in the South Lobby (at the top of the escalators from the LOB)
Near the statue of Nathan Hale on the east side of the building
From 10 am to about 11 or so, we’ll be in the Hall of Flags (west side of the building) for our press conference!
The League of Women Voters has a handy map of the Capitol building that you can access in their “Self-Guided Tour” booklet. Click here for English, and click here for Spanish.
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That’s okay - if you’d like someone from CTECA to go with you to talk to legislators, we’re happy to do so! You can let us know in advance or just tell us on the day.
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There will not be child care provided for this event - because all of our child care providers will be busy advocating for better funding! Our friends at Lakeshore Learning are providing a fun early learning classroom installation in the South Lobby, complete with make-and-take crafts for the littles - be sure to check it out!
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No problem! Send an email to our deputy director, Vanessa Hawke, at vanessa@cteca.org for assistance.