What the 2026 Session Means for Early Childhood in Vermont

An open question for early childhood this session was what would happen to Vermont’s Universal Pre-K program as the Legislature took on broader education transformation. Vermont’s UPK program has long been a point of both pride and ongoing debate; the state ranks second in the country for access to pre-K for both 3- and 4-year-olds, yet significant disparities persist. Only 11 percent of eligible children in Essex County are enrolled in pre-K, compared to 95 percent of eligible children in Windsor and Windham Counties. These gaps are not new, and neither is the challenge of deciding how to address them.

This session, pre-K was included in the education transformation bill (H.955), but key decisions were explicitly deferred to 2027. The legislation establishes legislative findings acknowledging access disparities and affirms the intent to preserve Vermont’s mixed-delivery system. It also codifies a formal role for BBF to jointly monitor and evaluate pre-K programs alongside the Agency of Education and the Department for Children and Families, and requires BBF to report to the Legislature annually beginning in January 2027 and to submit an initial written report to relevant committees by December 1, 2026. A cost-of-care analysis and funding structure recommendations are also due before the 2027 session.

In this recent article, VTDigger provided more details about some of the Legislature’s decisions related to education transformation in Vermont.

In short: the Legislature named the problem clearly, preserved the education system’s structure, and gave homework to itself, as well as to BBF and other partners. Whether 2027 produces the funding decisions that have eluded previous sessions remains to be seen.

On a more immediate note, S.214, which addresses pre-K access gaps specific to Essex County, passed the Legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. This is a meaningful and concrete step for a region where pre-K access has lagged significantly, and passing the bill required advocacy, critical problem-solving and creativity from the Child Development Division and the Agency of Education, and the continued elevation of the issue from BBF and other partners to find a solution.

S.206, the Early Childhood Education Profession Bill, did not pass this session. The bill passed the Senate and was taken up by the House Committee on Human Services, where it was ultimately held for 2027. Rep. Theresa Wood, chair of the committee, expressed general support for recognizing early childhood educators as professionals and indicated that the committee plans to return to the bill next year.

BBF engaged substantively with this bill throughout the session. Our 2026 Policy Recommendations call for implementing a licensure system for Vermont’s early childhood educators, a recommendation grounded in evidence from the National Institute for Early Education Research, and we testified to that alignment before the House Committee on Human Services as well as the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare. Licensure would represent a meaningful step toward the professional recognition that early childhood educators have long sought, and it reflects the goals Vermont has already committed to through Act 76 and the Early Childhood Strategic Plan 2030: safe, high-quality settings; clear expectations and pathways; and a stable, well-supported workforce.

Our testimony also focused on implementation, especially how the transition is structured to support all types of providers. Done well, licensure can protect and improve quality while opening clearer pathways into the profession. Ensuring that the policy is well-designed is critical, and the committee’s decision to hold the bill for further work is an opportunity to get those details right. We expect to remain an active resource as that work continues in 2027.

Fingerprinting delays have been a persistent operational challenge for early childhood programs in Vermont, contributing to delayed onboarding of new hires and, in some cases, classroom closures. This issue received attention in the State Auditor’s recent report on the Child Care Division and has been raised in legislative conversations throughout the session.

Vermont’s Preschool Development Grant includes $1 million designated to modernize the fingerprint-supported background check system, with a goal of moving to a fully digital process. This is an important step towards resolving the crisis-level delays that programs are experiencing, and just recently, an RFP closed to solicit bids to support the state with this important work. Building Bright Futures continues to monitor this effort and will share updates and developments when available.

BBF’s 2026 Policy Recommendations include support for sustained state funding for the Vermont Consultation and Psychiatry Access Program (VTCPAP), which provides pediatric and perinatal mental health consultation services. This session, that immediate funding need was addressed through the Rural Health Transformation Grant, which will cover the program for the next several years. State funding will eventually be needed to sustain the program over the long term, but for now, VTCPAP will continue to serve families and providers without interruption.

Several other bills this session touched on areas reflected in BBF’s 2026 Policy Recommendations. While BBF’s direct engagement varied, we tracked these as part of our broader charge to advise on the well-being of young children and families.

H.938, the Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum Act, passed both chambers. The legislation is an effort to reduce the state’s reliance on hotel and motel emergency housing through a structured continuum of shelter, case management, and permanent supportive housing, while recognizing that using hotels and motels may continue to be necessary until Vermont has a sufficient supply of housing that meets the needs of all community members. $82.6 million is allocated for FY27 for the Housing Opportunity Grant Program, rental assistance, shelter development, emergency housing, case management, and permanent supportive housing programs. The Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum Act reflects meaningful legislative attention to the needs of families experiencing homelessness—including children.

H.545, relating to immunization recommendations, was signed by the Governor in March. The legislation temporarily shifts authority for issuing immunization recommendations from the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to Vermont’s Commissioner of Health, through 2031. Given ongoing federal uncertainty about public health infrastructure, Vermont’s move to establish state-level continuity for immunization guidance has the ability to ensure the state’s families receive adequate and data-driven information about immunization.

H.814, relating to neurological rights and the use of artificial intelligence in health and human services, was signed by the Governor in May, establishing protections for mental and neural data privacy and extending Vermont’s AI Advisory Council through 2030. S.71, relating to consumer data privacy and online surveillance, passed both chambers and is awaiting the Governor’s signature, giving Vermonters new rights over their personal data, including the ability to see what companies have collected, delete certain information, and opt out before their data is sold. Both bills represent notable movement toward BBF’s recommendation on protecting the data and privacy of Vermont children and families.

S.227, relating to immigration protocols in Vermont schools, passed both chambers and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. The legislation establishes clear protections for students regardless of immigration status, including limits on the collection and disclosure of immigration-related information.