Redesigning how families access early childhood services in Connecticut
Summary
OEC needed a simpler, more accessible way for families, childcare providers, and staff to find critical early childhood resources. We redesigned its web presence into a single, user-focused experience with clear pathways, improving access to services relied on by more than 200,000 children and families across Connecticut.
The challenge
OEC’s website was a primary access point for families and providers, but it was difficult to use and failed to meet user needs.
Users consistently reported frustration navigating the site. Critical issues included outdated forms, confusing language, and a desktop-only experience that made access difficult for many families.
The forms online, many of them are outdated. So I don’t look online.
Research participant
As a result, families and providers struggled to find information, complete tasks, and access services efficiently — creating friction for the very audiences OEC was designed to support.
The solution
We partnered with OEC to redesign its website using an agile, user-centered approach. Working closely with users and stakeholders, we delivered a solution that:
- Addressed diverse user needs through extensive research and testing
- Simplified how users search, navigate, and access critical resources — such as finding childcare providers or becoming licensed
- Delivered a single, user-focused homepage with clear pathways for key audiences
- Supported both mobile and desktop experiences
- Enabled incremental content releases so value could be delivered quickly
- Equipped internal staff with tools, content guidelines, and training to sustainably manage and evolve the site
This approach ensured the site was not only easier to use, but also easier for OEC to maintain and improve over time.
The results
- Delivered a redesigned, responsive website aligned to real user tasks and needs
- Increased daily traffic 3x after launching the new site in May 2020
- Enabled OEC to quickly deliver critical COVID-19 information, reaching more than 2,000 daily users during peak demand
Clean look, bright colors, not overwhelming, and easy to search.
Community advocate