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Lawmakers and DOE staff debate early‑childhood access, ECAP vs. purchase‑of‑care and federal grant timing
Summary
Delaware education officials described ECAP seats, purchase‑of‑care subsidies, STARS quality work and the state's use of a federal Preschool Development Grant to fund infant and toddler seats, and they promised follow‑up data on seat counts and funding gaps.
Department officials described Delaware's early‑childhood portfolio, including the Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP), the purchase‑of‑care subsidy, STARS quality improvement work, and federal grants that currently fund infant and toddler seats. Associate Secretary Caitlin Gleason and the Office of Early Learning staff told lawmakers the state funds roughly 1,473 three‑ and four‑year‑old ECAP seats and additional funded infant and toddler seats through a federal Preschool Development Grant. Staff said those federal funds are being used this year to fund younger seats and that the department has not requested additional state general‑fund dollars for ECAP in the current budget proposal.
Gleason explained program distinctions to the committee. ECAP is a…
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