Insurance for Child Care Centers and Preschools in Connecticut: What Is Required and What Is Wise

Short answer: Connecticut does not currently require licensed child care centers or family child care homes to carry liability insurance; a 2024 proposal to mandate it did not pass, and a state study on availability and cost was published by the Office of Early Childhood in June 2026. Workers' compensation is required once you have employees. In practice, centers need general and professional liability, abuse and molestation coverage, accident medical coverage for children, auto liability if they transport children, property and business income, and EPLI.

The current Connecticut picture

Following Public Act 25-82, the Office of Early Childhood, the Insurance Department and the Attorney General studied the affordability and availability of liability insurance for child care providers. The OEC's 2026 report found program size to be the strongest predictor of claims and premium, with third-party contractors a significant cost driver. Landlords, school districts and funders frequently require coverage by contract even without a state mandate.

Coverage centers should carry

• General and professional liability for injuries and supervision-related claims.
• Abuse and molestation at a meaningful limit; many general liability policies exclude it. Screening, training, two-adult policies and documentation are underwriting essentials.
• Accident medical coverage that pays children's medical bills regardless of fault, reducing lawsuits.
• Auto liability for owned vans and buses, and hired and non-owned auto if staff drive children in personal cars, which carriers often discourage.
• Property and business income; a closure after a fire or burst pipe stops tuition but not payroll and rent.
• EPLI and workers' compensation for staff.
• Cyber for family and payment information, and camera systems.

Family child care homes

Homeowners policies commonly exclude in-home day care, or allow only a very limited endorsement. A family child care provider usually needs a separate in-home child care liability policy. See home-based business insurance.

New England Insurance, an independent Connecticut agency in Bridgeport since 2012, places coverage for child care centers and preschools. Request a review.