Gov. Ned Lamont and Commissioner for the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood Beth Bye visited the Bloomfield Preschool and Childcare Center Wednesday to announce the completed distribution of $70 million in bonus payment to child care workers.

The Office of Early Childhood, with support of the United Way of Connecticut completed the second and final distribution of $55 million in bonus grants this month.

The first phase totaled $15 million and was completed in the fall of 2022.

Lamont said this is the biggest commitment the state has made for child care workers.

"These are essential workers helping out other essential workers, and giving kids the very best opportunity in life, and if I want Connecticut to be the most family-friendly state in the country, then it starts with programs just like this," said Lamont.

More than 20,000 early childhood educators and staff of child care statewide received the bonus payments.