Early Learning Plan

The Department of Early Learning, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Thrive by Five Washington are nearing adoption of the statewide Early Learning Plan. Public input on the draft plan closed on June 18th and is currently being considered. WAEYC provided input on the professional development and child care licensing strategies. The plan includes many important strategies, some of which can and will be implemented immediately. Others will require more planning time or funding. A 3-year action plan, available at here, prioritizes strategies that can be implemented in the coming three years. One of the 3-year strategies - implement comprehensive professional development and compensation system – aligns with WAEYC’s vision. Another strategy - align prekindergarten and K-3 instructional and programmatic practices – is directly related to an action in WAEYC’s 3-year strategic plan.

Initiatives Impacting Children and Families

On the ballet this fall, there likely will be several state initiatives that affect programs children and families count on. Initiatives are laws proposed by non-legislators - either individuals or groups of individuals.

I-1098: Middle-class tax cuts, job creation, and dedicated education and health care funding. Impact: Funding raised would be eligible to be used for education programs, including early learning, and health coverage for children and families.

I-1053: Requiring 2/3 majority vote to raise revenue in the state legislature. Impact: Severely restrict the government's ability to raise new revenue to increase spending on various programs that impact children and families in Washington.

I-1106 and 1107: Eliminate new revenues gained from extending the sales tax to candy, end the temporary sales tax on all ("some in 1107) bottled water, end the temporary excise tax on carbonated beverages and beer (1007 would keep beer tax), and reduce the tax rates for certain food processors. Impact: Repeal new revenues identified and passed during 2010 legislative session, and result in budget gap due to loss of projected revenues.

Click here to read about Children's Alliance's position on these initiatives and how they will affect kids.

Quarterly Meetings with State Agencies

Join other providers, advocates and leaders from the Governor’s Office, the Department of Early Learning, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and other state agencies at the next Quarterly Meeting on June 22nd from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at the Department of Early Learning in Lacey.  The purpose of these meetings is to share and discuss policy and budget matters of interest.


Click here for the agenda with meeting topics and DEL’s address.

2010 Legislative Session

We were successful in protecting many of our state's current investments in early learning. And we made policy strides! Governor Gregoire signed into law a number of bills related to early learning programs and services.

Click here for more information.

Child Care Subsidy Changes

A new state law changes Working Connections Child Care eligibility from six months or less to 12 months for families with a child enrolled in Head Start, Early Head Start or ECEAP. To align with the new law, the Department of Early Learning will implement new rules in August.

Click here to see the proposed rules, give input and find the location of public hearings.

Welcome!

Welcome to WAEYC's Forum for those interested in Early Learning Public Policy!  We hope you will find this site a great place to connect, network, and learn from others in the field. 

Please feel free to comment on any message or create on of your own.  We have also provided a list of resources on the right to make information of interest to you easy to access.

If you have topic suggestions or would like to be a guest blogger, please contact WAEYC.

Enjoy!