Washington
Working families in Washington need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in Washington. But too many working families in Washington are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Washington economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 542k children ages 5 and under in Washington
59% of these children have all available parents in the workforce
The typical annual cost of child care in Washington is around $13,000
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 13% of eligible families. This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care
Washington’s economy loses $3.5B annually due to child care challenges
Washington: In The Headlines
In Our View: U.S. lawmakers must prioritize child care
The Columbian | March 13, 2024
Lawmakers can take steps to improve the accessibility and affordability of child care throughout the nation. And they should; reliable child care is essential for putting people to work.
A Child’s First Three Years Hold The Power To Unlock Bright, Strong Futures
Seattle Medium | April 30, 2024
In communities across the country, families are striving to give their children a good start in life. They share a common desire for their babies to be healthy, happy, and secure. Yet far too many families face considerable obstacles.
Washington spends big on early education. So, why is it so hard to get your kid into preschool?
KUOW | May 1, 2024
Getting your kid into preschool is hard in Washington state. A lot of parents may not need that spelled out for them, but a new report from NIEER confirmed as much.
Washington Resources & News
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