DEL Announces New Substitute Pool for Child Care

The Substitute Pool is designed to support family child care and child care center providers in accessing substitutes to work towards professional development goals to reach Early Achievers Level 3 or higher.

The Substitute Pool will:
Promote progress within Early Achievers by encouraging family child care and child care center providers to participate in professional development opportunities. This includes:

• Substitute coverage to allow providers to participate in professional development opportunities.
• Time to work towards achieving a Level 3 or higher. Allowable activities include:
  
  • Early Achievers Level 2 training series.
  • Completing self-assessments, action plans, or filing supporting documents.
  • Early Achievers Remedial Activities.
  • Early Achievers Technical Assistance and Coaching.
  • Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) preparation.
  • Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) preparation.
  • Education/Professional Development degrees or certificate programs.

Facilities that qualify to use the Substitute Pool:

• Have served at least one child on subsidy within the last 12 months. 
• Are enrolled in Early Achievers and working towards a Level 3 rating.
• In good licensing status: this means having a non-expired license that is not suspended, revoked, or on probationary status.

Individuals that qualify to be a substitute in the Substitute Pool:

• Are 18 years old or older.
• Are registered in MERIT (visit www.MERIT.del.wa.gov to get started).
• Meet the current minimum education standard for a licensed facility lead teacher.
• Have evidence of the following in their MERIT record:
  • Initial Training Requirement (Child Care Basics)
  • DEL Portable Background Check clearance 
  • Child Abuse and Neglect training
  • Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification
  • Blood Borne Pathogens training
  • Tuberculosis test results
  • Safe Sleep training
  • Food Handlers permit
  • Mandated Reporter Training 

Once qualifications are verified in MERIT or there is a plan in place to complete them, substitutes must attend an in-person orientation with The Imagine Institute.

The Imagine Institute, a non-profit organization, will be administering the Substitute Pool. In addition to Substitute Pool administration, The Imagine Institute also offers trainings for both Family Child Care and Family, Friend, and Neighbor providers.

For more information about the Substitute Pool, or If you are interested in hiring a substitute or becoming a substitute, contact The Imagine Institute:

Phone: 206.492.5244
Email: subpool@imaginewa.org