State officials met in New London, where they say southeastern Connecticut is considered a childcare desert. That means there is a higher demand for childcare than there are spots available.

Advocates say they hope the new $ 300 million childhood endowment eases some of that burden , but there is a long way to go.

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Connecticut’s Office of Early Childhood said more than 210 early childhood spaces and 13 Smart Start classrooms have been funded since July through the endowment in Southeastern Connecticut specifically.

We spoke with childcare provider Reonna Dyess, who is the executive director of New London’s Drop-in Learning Center. She said she just applied to receive funding from the endowment.

“It would allow us

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