DEL Connect

Questions and answers about the proposed Washington Preschool Program

2012-01-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

The Department of Early Learning (DEL) has received several questions from child care providers and others about a bill that is being considered in the Legislature. This is House Bill 2448, also called the High-Quality Early Learning Act of 2012, and moves forward the recommendations of a legislatively required work group about how to phase in a high-quality, voluntary preschool program to help children get ready for success in school and life.

Following are some answers to some of the questions we at DEL have heard most frequently:

What does House Bill 2448 do?

HB 2448 would establish a statewide, voluntary preschool program for 3- and 4-year-olds in Washington. The bill calls this the “Washington Preschool Program.” The new program includes 450 hours of preschool a year, as well as health and family support services. The bill also would focus on planning voluntary programs for birth-to-3-year-olds at the same time.

The Washington Preschool Program would build on the standards of our current state-funded preschool program (the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, or ECEAP).

The Washington Preschool Program would be what is called a “mixed-delivery system.” This means that many different groups could deliver these preschool services. That could include licensed family home providers and child care centers; school districts; educational service districts; current Early Learning and Education Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Head Start providers; and faith-based organizations.

You can read the most current version of House Bill 2448, along with analysis prepared by House of Representatives committee staff, online.

What does this mean for licensed child care providers? Would they have to participate?

This preschool program would be voluntary for families. Not all families will choose to enroll their child, for any number of reasons. There is no requirement for families to be a part of the Washington Preschool Program.

Licensed child care providers could choose to apply to be a Washington Preschool Program provider, and would be encouraged to do so. Participation is not required. Providers who were selected by competitive process to be part of Washington Preschool Program would be funded per-slot to deliver high-quality preschool programming that meets the requirements of this bill, for a minimum of 450 hours per year. Child care providers may choose to have Washington Preschool hours when all requirements of this bill are in place, and child care hours when they meet child care licensing requirements.

Licensed child care providers who did not wish to apply to be a Washington Preschool Program provider would be able to continue offering licensed child care, following the child care licensing WAC. The requirements of the Washington Preschool Program do not apply to all child care or to preschools that are not part of the Washington Preschool Program.

Licensed child care providers could choose to deliver both Washington Preschool Program services (which would be part-day) and subsidized child care to result in a high-quality full-day program.

What does this mean for private preschool providers? Would they have to participate?

Currently, private preschool providers offering educational curriculum and operating for fewer than four hours per day are exempt from child care licensing requirements. These preschools would not have to participate in the Washington Preschool Program.

What would the educational requirements for lead teachers be under the Washington Preschool Program?

Research is clear that a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field supports high-quality early learning programs. Part of HB 2448 is a requirement that DEL and others make recommendations to the Legislature about a timeline to phase in a bachelor’s degree requirement for lead teachers. The bill also will likely include a requirement for DEL and others to review current capacity at higher education institutions, affordability in attaining a degree, barriers for child care providers, and any “equivalencies” that would allow child care providers to demonstrate quality without having a bachelor’s degree.

How would the Washington Preschool Program impact the Working Connections Child Care and Seasonal Child Care subsidy programs?
The Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) and Seasonal Child Care (SCC) subsidy programs would continue operating the way they currently do. Funding for WCCC and SCC would not be diverted to fund the Washington Preschool Program.

I have heard the Washington Preschool Program could not include religious instruction. Is that true?

It is true that any publically funded education program may not include religious instruction during the time of day funded for the preschool program. Faith-based organizations would be encouraged to apply for Washington Preschool Program with the understanding that they would not offer religious instruction during the portion of the day funded with public dollars.

Why would any entity consider being part of Washington Preschool Program?

Those who participate in Washington Preschool Program would be paid per-slot to offer high-quality preschool services. In addition, participants would have access to professional development and materials to support them in their work.

Would this program be for families with low incomes only?

The Washington Preschool Program as proposed in House Bill 2448 would offer access to this program to all families upon full implementation in school year 2024-25. Families with incomes above 250 percent of the federal poverty level would pay a co-pay set by DEL.

How were these recommendations for this program created?

This has been a gradual and thoughtful process:

A bill passed in 2010 (House Bill 2731) created a voluntary preschool program for educationally at-risk children, to be phased in as an entitlement program by the 2018-2019 school year. An entitlement means a guarantee of access to specific benefits either by law or by constitution.

Another bill passed in 2010 (Senate Bill 6759) set up a work group to look at whether this preschool program should be part of basic education or an entitlement, and get more specific about what the preschool program should look like. You can find the recommendations from the SB 6759 work group online by clicking here. At that same place, you can find more information about the work group membership and process.
The SB 6759 work group delivered its recommendations to two groups in November 2011: The Quality Education Council (QEC) and the Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC).
ELAC considered the recommendations during its Dec. 12, 2011, regular meeting. They supported the work group recommendations, with two additions:

Adding a birth-to-3 technical workgroup to use the state Birth to 3 Plan as the basis for working to enhance services for infants and toddlers.
Phasing in the SB 6759 work group recommendations about lead teacher education requirements, rather than requiring a bachelor’s degree at the creation of the program.

The QEC at its Dec. 19, 2011, regular meeting, voted to recommend the work group recommendations.
The bill was introduced for consideration during the 2012 legislative session and is now being considered by the Legislature.

DEL accepting public comment on several rules

2012-01-24T13:47:00.000-08:00

It’s a new year, which means it is time for new rules related to many areas that affect DEL, parents, child care providers and even unlicensed providers. The rules that govern how state agencies do business are called WACs (pronounced “wax”), which stands for Washington Administrative Code.

Part of the rule-making process is accepting public comments on the proposed changes. Right now, DEL is accepting public comment on several rules. People can provide comment online, in person (in some cases), by email or by postal mail. Each topic has a link to the webpage that contains more information, including how to provide input.

This list is organized by the date in which the public comment period closes.

January 31

Child Care Center Rules on Lice and Nits: DEL agreed to review the rule following a public petition asking DEL to remove the section of the rule that requires licensed child care centers to exclude children or staff who have lice or nits. This rule only applies to child care centers and school-age programs.

February 13

Public disclosure of DEL records, how the public may request records, indexes to certain public information and DEL organization rules required by law.
Child care centers and school-age centers on new nonexpiring licenses: A nonexpiring license is available to current providers with a full license, and to new providers who have successfully completed the initial license period. The proposed rules describe the annual requirements for a provider to maintain a nonexpiring license.
Raising annual license fees for child care centers and school-age centers: DEL raised fees for family home child care providers in new WAC chapter 170-296A. The Legislature directed DEL to increase license fees for all licensed providers to deal with projected 2011-2013 state budget deficits. License fees are deposited to the state general fund and are not kept by DEL. The new fee amounts have been in effect by emergency rules filed in June and October 2011.
Suspected unlicensed child care and higher civil penalties (fines) that may be levied for violating child care licensing rules: The rule changes are as a result of 2011 Senate Bill 5504, and have been in effect by emergency rules filed in July and December 2011.
Working Connections and Seasonal Child Care programs in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 170-290, and related changes to licensing rules for child care centers, school-age programs and family home child care. The rules are being revised to meet state and federal audit recommendations, reduce potential fraud, waste or abuse, comply with portions of 2011 Senate Bill 5921, and clarify other requirements.

March 31

Child care center rules: This will be the first substantial update of child care center rules since 2003. DEL is interested in suggestions that are child-centered and evidence- or research-based.

You can find the complete list of rules DEL will tackle the first half of this year on our semi-annual rule-making agenda, which we update every January and July.

Anyone who is interested in receiving information about current rules, draft rules and notices of rule changes, can sign up:

By email at rules@del.wa.gov
By postal mail at:

Rules Coordinator
Washington State Department of Early Learning
P.O. Box 40970
Olympia, WA 98504-0970

DEL office closures January 19

2012-01-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

Many Department of Early Learning offices are closed today, January 19 due to icy conditions:

Headquarters in Lacey
Aberdeen
Bellevue
Bellingham
Bremerton
Everett
Kent
Mount Vernon
Port Angeles
Seattle
Tacoma
Tumwater

We will update this blog with new information as it becomes available.

If you need to reach a licensor or headquarters staff, please send them an email. See DEL contacts.

DEL office closures January 18

2012-01-18T07:43:00.000-08:00

The following Department of Early Learning offices are closed Wednesday, January 18 due to inclement weather:

Headquarters in Lacey
Field offices are open but many DEL employees are telecommuting. The best way to reach a licensor today is by email.

We will keep this post updated with any changes.

Legislature convenes for 2012 session--how to stay updated on early learning

2012-01-10T09:33:00.000-08:00

The 2012 regular legislative session began on Monday, Jan. 9, and will last 60 days. Although this is a supplemental budget year (not the "long" 105-day session during which the biennial budget is written), legislators have plenty to do during these 60 days.

This week, DEL will present to various legislative committees on the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grant, child care subsidies, the upcoming transfer of the Council for Children & Families to DEL, and portable background checks for child care employees.

How you can stay informed on early learning issues throughout session:

Sign up for the monthly DEL Update e-newsletter.
Check out our early learning legislative updates page, where we post the PowerPoints and archived TVW video from DEL work session presentations.
Follow DEL on Twitter and Facebook.

Tips for enjoying a safe, healthy and fun holiday season

2011-12-22T15:48:00.000-08:00

This is a great time of year to celebrate with the children in your life--make sure this holiday season is a safe, healthy and fun one! Here are some expert tips from state and national experts:

Advice on choosing safe and age-appropriate toys from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Button battery safety info from the state Department of Health.
Holiday food safety tips from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

And finally, a reminder that the holidays--and every day--are a good time to love, talk and play with your child!

Quality Education Council to consider preschool workgroup recommendations Dec. 19

2011-12-15T14:02:00.000-08:00

The Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) on Dec. 12 decided to support a recommendation to create a phased-in, voluntary preschool available to all Washington 3- and 4-year-olds as an entitlement program. The issue now moves to the Quality Education Council, which will meet on Monday, Dec. 19.

The recommendation for a statewide preschool program comes for the Early Learning Technical Workgroup, established in Senate Bill 6759. That workgroup submitted its final recommendations in November.

SB 6759 required the group to develop a plan for a voluntary program of early learning as either a part of basic education or as an entitlement program, to help support school readiness for all children in Washington. The final recommendations propose phasing in a high-quality, comprehensive preschool program open to all 3- and 4-year-olds with a graduated co-pay based on family income. The workgroup recommended a mixed-delivery system of providers, including nonprofits, faith-based organizations, licensed child care facilities, private schools, ECEAP and Head Start providers, school districts and others.

ELAC members reviewed the recommendations and heard public comment before deciding to recommend that QEC adopt the workgroup recommendations, with one addition and one change:

Adding a Birth-to-3 Technical Workgroup, which would use the existing state Birth to 3 Plan as its basis to focus on enhanced services for infants and toddlers.
Phasing in the workgroup's recommendation that lead teachers in the preschool program be required to have a Bachelor of Arts degree.

The QEC meets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19, in Cherberg Conference Room ABC on the Capitol Campus in Olympia. It will be webcast on http://www.tvw.org/. The QEC must make recommendations to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2012.

Legislature convenes for special session, hears Governor's proposed supplemental budget

2011-12-01T13:02:00.000-08:00

On Nov. 28, the Legislature began a special session called by Gov. Chris Gregoire to address a projected $1.4 billion to $2 billion revenue shortfall in the 2011-2013 state operating budget.

To read Gov. Gregoire's proposed supplemental budget, which includes a temporary half-cent increase in the state sales tax: http://www.ofm.wa.gov/budget12/default.asp

Legislative committees are now holding work sessions on the proposed supplemental operating budget. Here is yesterday's Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee work session:
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Watch other hearings by going to www.tvw.org and choosing "Archives" then the committee and date you wish to view.

New family home child care rules will improve safety, outcomes for children

2011-11-15T11:29:00.000-08:00

On November 14, DEL filed revised rules for family home child care providers. The revisions focus on health, safety and positive outcomes for children.

What are rules for family home child care providers?
DEL is responsible for providing rules for all licensed child care providers to follow, which are found in Washington Administrative Code (WAC). Child care centers and family home child care providers are subject to different rules. The family home child care rules have not changed significantly since 2004; the changes we filed yesterday are the first major update to the rules since licensing oversight became DEL's responsibility. The new rules will take effect in March 2012.

What does this mean for parents and children?

Providers are required to communicate more information about the their child care philosophy and about each child's development.
Enhanced safety standards for playgrounds, food service, cribs, emergency preparedness, screen time, and nurture and guidance.

What does this mean for family home child care providers?

A streamlined background check process, through nonexpiring licenses and portable background checks.
All children ages 13 to 16 who live in the home are subject to noncriminal background checks, as are volunteers or assistants ages 14 to 16 who work in the family child care home.
Providers and their staff will be required to meet increased education and training standards. The new rules require, at a minimum, a high school education or equivalent. Current licensed providers have until March 31, 2017 to meet the minimum education requirement.
DEL licensors will work with providers in the coming months to make sure they understand the new rules.

How did DEL decide on the rule changes?
DEL formed a group called the negotiated rule-making team that was tasked with developing the rule changes. The team was made up DEL staff, family home child care providers, the family home providers union, and other early learning professionals. Starting in 2007, the team collaboarated with providers, legislators, parents and early learning professionals to develop research-based draft rules. DEL presented the draft rules at eight public meetings around the state on evenings and weekends in Spring 2011. As required by state law, DEL also shared the draft rules with Service Employees International Union 925, the union that represents family home child care providers.

Read the final rules.

Watch DEL Director Bette Hyde discuss new rules: goo.gl/7OayM

More information about the rules is available on our website: www.del.wa.gov/laws/development/negotiated.aspx

Reporting on ECEAP, Head Start programs

2011-11-03T15:38:00.000-07:00

DEL published two reports in recent weeks with the results of two important pre-K programs: ECEAP and Head Start.

ECEAP— Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program—helps 3- and 4-year-olds from low-income families prepare for success in school and life. Children who participate receive assistance with learning, nutrition and health and family support services. DEL just celebrated the 25th anniversary of this important program, which is primarily funded with money from the state.

The 2010-11 ECEAP Outcomes Report describes the program’s effect on children’s social-emotional development, learning and family engagement.

A few fast facts from the 2010-11 school year:

Total funding was $54.4 million; 98.3 percent of it went directly to local programs that serve children.
ECEAP had enough funding for 8,024 children. The program experienced a 13.9 percent turnover rate and its waiting list held more than 4,000 children.
DEL administered ECEAP through 40 contracts with educational service districts, school districts, community colleges, local governments and nonprofit organizations; 37 of 39 Washington counties were served at 260 sites.

Related information: ECEAP Making a Difference booklet

ECEAP, Head Start and Early Head Start Washington State Profile, 2011

This Profile provides an overview of public early childhood education programs in Washington state, which include:

ECEAP (described above)
Head Start: A national, high-quality early learning program for low-income children ages 3 through 5, but not yet eligible for kindergarten, and their families. The federal government provides grants to 30 organizations in Washington for these services.
Early Head Start: A national, high-quality program to promote healthy prenatal outcomes through services to low-income pregnant women, and promote early learning through services for low-income children from birth to 3 years old and their families. As with Head Start, the federal government provides grants to 27 local organizations in Washington to offer these services.
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start: A national, high-quality early learning program that serves low-income children birth through 5 years old, but not yet eligible for kindergarten, and their families who are migrant and seasonal farm workers. The federal government provides grants to local organizations to offer these services. There are two grantees in Washington.
American Indian/Alaska Native Head Start and Early Head Start: A national, high-quality early learning program that serves low-income American Indian and Alaska Native children birth through 5 years old, but not yet eligible for kindergarten, and their families. The federal government provides grants to tribal nations and organizations who provide these services. There are 17 grantees providing American Indian Head Start and eight providing American Indian Early Head Start services in Washington state.

The report describes the programs and they children and families they serve, approximately 25,000 children in the 2010-11 school year. The report includes specific examples from Washington state providers.

DEL updates House Early Learning & Human Services Committee on progress

2011-10-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

Leaders from the Department of Early Learning (DEL) presented to the House Early Learning & Human Services Committee on Wednesday about our progress in several areas since the Legislature adjourned in May. Watch the presentation to hear the latest on the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grant, efforts to promote quality in licensed child care, home visiting and more.

The PowerPoint presentation DEL used is available online here.

Washington throws its hat in the ring for federal early learning grant

2011-10-19T12:03:00.000-07:00

Washington state has submitted its application for a Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) grant. The federal grant will provide $500 million in state-level competitive grants to improve early learning and development programs. The Department of Early Learning (DEL) is leading Washington’s application for the grant, which could bring up to $60 million to our state over four years to support early learning for our children.

RTT-ELC is meant to help states raise the quality of early learning programs so that children start school ready to succeed.
Governor Chris Gregoire said of Washington's application, “This application is bold and it is ambitious, but it is also achievable, and that is what the grant competition is all about. We have submitted a plan that will push our state forward in providing the kind of high-quality early learning opportunities our youngest learners need and deserve."

Washington's application lays out a plan for how to use the grant money:

Expand the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS), our state’s kindergarten readiness assessment, to include all incoming kindergarteners by school year 2014-15.
Take to scale our state’s quality rating and improvement system, which helps early learning programs improve the quality of care and education they provide to young children and provides information on quality to families.
Enhance the state professional development system by offering awards and incentives to those who work with and care for young children.

"This is an important opportunity to help Washington children," DEL Director Bette Hyde said. "Washington is uniquely positioned to move forward quickly if we win a grant because of the work we’ve already done with WaKIDS and QRIS."

DEL created a webpage to keep the early learning community informed about progress on RTT-ELC. That page includes fast facts about Washington's application.

The Associated Press ran a story about Washington's application, "State seeks $60M from feds for preschools."

Today, DEL representatives updated the House Early Learning & Human Services Committee about the RTT-ELC and other DEL news. That hearing will be available on TVW's website.

DEL will continue to tweet information about the application and related news using the hashtag #rttt (which stands for Race to the Top) at www.twitter.com/DEL_wa.

Governor, families, teachers join DEL in celebrating 25 years of ECEAP

2011-10-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

Almost 170,000 children have been part of the state-funded preschool program (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, or ECEAP) since it began in 1985. Last night, families, ECEAP graduates, teachers and state leaders celebrated 25 years of growing Washington’s future at an ECEAP reception in Olympia.

Governor Chris Gregoire kicked off the evening, saying, “If we get it right early with a child, then they will succeed in school and they will succeed in life, and they won’t end up in the safety net.” Watch the Governor’s remarks on DEL’s YouTube channel.

Rep. Jeannie Darneille, D-Tacoma, spoke about her experience as the first ECEAP staff member in 1985. She wrote the first set of ECEAP performance standards and set up the first pilots around the state.

Another highlight of the evening was Melissa Estrada, a former ECEAP student who graduated valedictorian of her high school and is now studying to become a nurse.

Watch for photos from the evening and a special 25th anniversary publication, “ECEAP: Making a Difference,” to be posted soon on the ECEAP section of the DEL website.

New rules for Working Connections Child Care in effect

2011-10-05T13:06:00.000-07:00

The Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy program rules changed on Oct. 1, 2011. DEL wants to make sure you know about the changes.

WCCC basics
WCCC helps eligible families with low incomes pay for child care while they work or meet WorkFirst participation requirements.

What changed? The most recent rule changes:

Made permanent emergency rules about entry caps, waiting lists, income limits and copayments to ensure the WCCC budget meets limits established by legislation and the Governor.
Addressed compliance with federal and state audit requirements.
Clarified several rules to streamline applying for and receiving benefits, and qualifying to be paid as an in-home or relative provider.

Some notable changes include:

Every applicant must go through the WCCC application process, regardless of their participation in other DSHS assistance programs.
The benefits start date is now the same for TANF and non-TANF recipients. All applicants must complete the application and verification process within 30 days. Applicants who do not meet the deadline must re-apply if they want to receive benefits.
Rules around verifying income and employment now allow providing a previous year’s income tax return and allow untaxed, in-kind income and taxable corporate compensation to be counted as income.
DSHS must verify the citizenship or legal residency of all children who participate in the program.
Benefits are provided only for hours when parents work outside of the home.
Self-employed applicants or recipients must provide additional verification such as a business license or registration and a self-employment plan.
An in-home or relative provider who cares for children receiving WCCC benefits may not receive WCCC benefits for his or her own children during those same hours.

More information is available on DEL’s website at www.del.wa.gov/care/help/connections.aspx.

Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) retreat information now online

2011-10-04T07:47:00.000-07:00

The Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) held a full-day retreat on Aug. 31 at the Lacey Community Center. The retreat was meant to build relationships among ELAC members, including several newly appointed members; develop the ELAC functions and guiding principles; and identify potential early actions for the group. The retreat was open to the public.

Some ELAC members are appointed by the Governor. Others are appointed by various organizations as required by state law. ELAC members provide input and recommmendations to DEL so that our strategies and actions are well-informed and broadly supported by parents, early care providers, health/safety experts and interested parties.

Here’s ELAC member Sen. Nick Harper, D-Everett, on why early learning is important for him and how he expects to help ELAC reach its objectives:

And here’s Educational Service District 105 Early Learning Director Cynthia Juarez, a Governor’s appointee:

For more information on ELAC and to view the agenda and related materials from the ELAC retreat, visit www.del.wa.gov/partnerships/elac/.

National Child Health Day -- helping children lead healthy lives

2011-10-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

Today is the 83rd annual National Child Health Day. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services created a website to feature important resources that assist families in finding health care services. Resources featured on the website include the 311 Prenatal Hotline, Insure Kids Now, Family-to-Family Health Information Centers, Text 4 Baby, Find a Health Center Locator and the Maternal and Child Health Program.

Take a look at http://mchb.hrsa.gov/childhealthday/

"Continuity of care" report now available

2011-09-30T16:09:00.000-07:00

A new report on the impact of allowing families longer authorization periods for child care subsidies is now on the DEL website.

DEL contracted with the Washington State University Social and Economic Sciences Research Center to conduct the study, which was required in House Bill 3141.

Most families are authorized for six months at a time for child care subsidies. But HB 3141, passed in 2010, allowed families with children enrolled in Head Start, Early Head Start or the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program to be authorized for 12 months. Parents said this allowed for more stability in their child care arrangement and better supported their child’s development.

The study also suggests that moving to 12-month authorizations for more families could save some costs for administering the program.

National group reports on the cost of child care

2011-09-15T10:08:00.000-07:00

The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) recently published its 2011 report on national trends in the cost of child care. Before we discuss that, here’s some background:

NACCRRA is the parent organization for more than 600 state and local Child Care Resource and Referral Networks (CCR&Rs), which help parents find child care. Here in Washington, we at DEL partner with the Washington State Child Care Resource & Referral Network to help families find the right child care arrangement for their children. We also partner with the Network to support child care providers in improving quality, through our Quality Rating and Improvement System.

The NACCRRA report presents 2010 data about what parents pay for full-time child care in the United States. The information is split out by several categories, including by region, by age of children being cared for and by child care facility versus family child care homes.

Some highlights of the report’s findings:

Child care costs increased 1.9 percent in centers and 1.8 percent in family child care homes from 2009 to 2010.
In 40 states, the average annual cost of center-based care for an infant exceeded 10 percent of the state’s median income for a two-parent family.
In 36 states, the average annual cost for center-based care for an infant was higher than a year’s tuition and related fees at a four-year public college.
The 10 least affordable states for child care were Massachusetts, New York, Hawaii, Colorado, Minnesota, the District of Columbia, Oregon, Illinois, Montana and Pennsylvania.
In Washington, the average annual costs for centers range from $4,650 to $11,450 and for family care homes from $3,800 to $8,650.

The report makes recommendations to help families pay for child care, to improve the quality of care through additional provider training and inspections, and to help CCR&Rs assist providers in becoming licensed.

New “I support licensed child care” window decals now available

2011-09-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

DEL has produced a new resource in an effort to raise public awareness about the benefits of licensed child care and the resources available to help families choose child care. The removable window clings say “I support licensed child care” and include a link to the online Child Care Check tool, where families can find out more about the history of licensed child care providers.

Child Care Check is just one resource in the search for child care—families should start their search by contacting the Washington State Child Care Resource & Referral Network. DEL also has a guide on how families can choose quality child care.

The window clings were paid for with federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) dollars. To request one, contact your local DEL office.

School’s Out Washington announces Quality Enhancement Grant

2011-09-06T11:10:00.000-07:00

School’s Out Washington is now accepting applications for its annual Quality Enhancement Grant, which helps improve the quality of school-age care programs licensed or certified by DEL.

Programs may apply for up to $3,000, and may use the funds for a variety of projects that support improved program quality. Programs serving low-income families, children of color or children with special needs are strongly encouraged to apply and will get bonus points in the grant review process. Applications are due by Nov. 4.

Visit www.schoolsoutwashington.org to learn more and apply.

The Quality Enhancement Grant is funded by DEL with federal Child Care and Development Fund dollars.

Federal government releases Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge grant application

2011-08-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Department of Education today released the application for the Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) grant, which will provide $500 million in state-level competitive grants to improve early learning and development programs. The Department of Early Learning (DEL) is leading Washington’s application for the grant, which could bring up to $60 million to our state over four years to support early learning for our children.

RTT-ELC is meant to help states raise the quality of early learning programs so that children start school ready to succeed. DEL Director Bette Hyde said, “I believe Washington is well positioned to be competitive in the Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge. We are rolling out our kindergarten entry assessment program, WaKIDS, this school year and we are taking our Quality Rating and Improvement System to 65 child care providers this year as we move toward statewide implementation.”

The grant application is due October 19 and the federal government will announce the awards in December.

DEL has created a webpage to keep the early learning community informed about progress on RTT-ELC.

See our July 18 blog post about entering the RTT-ELC.

Other resources:

U.S. Department of Education press release about the grant application: http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/obama-administration-releases-final-application-race-top-early-learning-challeng

Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge webpage: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop-earlylearningchallenge/index.html

DEL announces 65 early adopters for QRIS

2011-08-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

The Department of Early Learning (DEL) has selected the Quality Rating and Improvement System Early Adopters for 2011-2012. The Washington Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) is our state’s voluntary program for helping licensed child care providers offer high-quality care.

These 65 licensed child care facilities met all eligibility requirements and demonstrated a commitment to providing high-quality care for the children and families they serve. On behalf of our statewide partners and the local implementation agencies, we would like to congratulate Washington’s first QRIS participants!

DEL Director Bette Hyde shared a message about the early adopters.

Having a QRIS in place is one requirement in the federal Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant competition. DEL is leading Washington’s application for the grant, which could bring up to $60 million to our state over four years.

The full list of early adopters, organized by county:

Clark County

Cindy Perez
Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium– South Ridge
Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium – Image Child Care
Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium – Fruit Valley
Debbie’s 24/7 Day Care
Auntie’s House Child Care
Caring Corner Preschool and Child Care
Debra Simmerson
St John Christian Child Care Center
P. Nierenberg ELC
Becca’s Day Care
Daily Discoveries
Patience At Hand Child Care
Points of Light Christian Child Care
Innovative Services NW
Country Friends Child Care
Tads 2 Tots Daycare
Country Campus Learning Center

Kitsap County

Wendy Huskey
Sunny Patch
Mele’s Bize Bees (Mary Parsons)
Martha and Mary Early Learning Center - Silverdale
Martha and Mary Early Learning Center - Poulsbo
First Years Children’s Center
Chico Christian Child Care

Spokane County

St. Anne’s Children and Family Center
Spokane Child Development Center
Little Precious Ones
Jolene Bertsch
Ka Diddle Hoppers
Little Guys Two
Paula’s Play House Child Care
Kim’s Child Care and Early Learning
Christ Lutheran Child Center
Valley Learning Center
Lake City Learning Center
Green Gable Children’s Center
Central YMCA
Rainbow Connections Too

White Center

Educare
Rainbow Family Child Care
Maria Nicolas (Pequenos Pasos)
Linda’s Wee Ones Day Care
Learning Way School and Day Care
KinderCare Burien
From Roots to Wings Child Care
Fauntleroy Children’s Center
Curiosity Corner School
Community Schools West
Community Day School Highland Park
Carita de Angel
Bringing Up Baby
Ages in Stages Child Care
KinderCare 892

East Yakima

YMCA Jewett Child Development Center
Rosalinda’s Day Care
Rainbow Kids
La Petite Early Learning Center
Kids Inc.
Enriqueta Arreguin
Easter Seals – Jane’s House
Country Kids Child Development Center on 21st
Country Kids Child Development Center – Terrace Heights
Bertha’s Day Care
Balbina Gomez

WAEYC launches "virtual book club"

2011-08-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

Always wanted to be in a book club but haven't found the time? Our partners at the Washington Association for the Education of Young Children (WAEYC) have just launched an online book club. It's a great opportunity for parents and early learning professionals to learn some simple ways to build lifelong skills in young children.

Each month for seven months, participants will explore how to guide children to reach their fullest potential through one of seven life skills: Focus and Self Control; Perspective Taking; Communicating; Making Connections; Critical Thinking; Taking on Challenges; and Self-Directed, Engaged Learning. The book club is based on the book "Mind in the Making" by Ellen Galinsky, president and co-founder of the Families and Work Institute.

Washington STARS Credit and OSPI Clock Hours available for participating in the webinars.

Visit www.waeyc.org/mitm.htm to learn more and sign up!

DEL seeks ECEAP "grads"

2011-07-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

This fall, DEL is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the state-funded preschool program, ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program). We are looking for "graduates" of ECEAP to tell their story about how the program affected their education or their life in other ways.

Anyone who is interested in telling their story can contact us at communications@del.wa.gov or (360) 725-4392.

It's official! Washington will apply for Race to the Top

2011-07-18T11:45:00.000-07:00

Governor Chris Gregoire has made it official: Washington will apply for the federal Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) grant competition. If successful, our state could receive up to $60 million to help build an early learning system that prepares children for success in kindergarten and beyond.

Governor Gregoire notified the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services last Friday, July 15, of Washington's intent to apply. She designated the Department of Early Learning (DEL) as the lead agency for Washington's application. DEL has created a webpage to keep the early learning community informed about progress on RTT-ELC.

RTT-ELC is meant to help states raise the quality of early learning programs so that children start school ready to succeed. The draft guidelines issued earlier this month show that successful states will demonstrate use of state early learning guidelines, kindergarten entry assessments, and quality rating and improvement systems. Washington is moving forward with all three:

We are in the process of reviewing and revising our early learning guidelines (which have been called the Early Learning and Development Benchmarks).
We have finished piloting our kindergarten entry assessment program, WaKIDS, and will begin rolling it out more broadly in the 2011-2012 school year.
We have finished a pilot of our QRIS in partnership with Thrive by Five Washington, and are beginning to take it to scale around the state to help child care providers improve the quality of care they offer to children and families--and help families understand what quality looks like.

In Washington, we are at a critical juncture for creating a statewide early learning system--despite the budget crisis, we've found federal, state and private funding to support early learning. We have a 10-year state Early Learning Plan, and strong partnerships with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Thrive by Five Washington and other public and private entities. This grant would help push us to do even more--and that's a welcome push!

New immunization law goes into effect July 22

2011-07-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

Our state has one of the highest school immunization exemption rates in the nation. A new law that goes into effect on July 22 aims to help ensure families claim exemption for reasons other than convenience--and the law affects child care providers.

Senate Bill 5005, passed by the 2011 Legislature and signed into law by Governor Chris Gregoire, says that if a parent or guardian wants to exempt their child from school or child care immunization requirements, they must first get information about the benefits and risks of vaccinations from a licensed health care provider. The provider must sign a certificate of exemption form, which parents must give the school or child care provider to exempt their child.

The law does not change vaccination requirements for school and child care entry.

Learn more about the benefits of immunizations, and about the new law, by visiting the Department of Health Immunization Program online.

New federal crib rules go into effect today

2011-06-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

Starting today, anyone manufacturing or selling baby cribs in the United States must meet new crib safety standards approved by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission in December 2010. These rules are meant to help keep children safer in their cribs, and include a ban on drop-side cribs and more rigorous safety testing by manufacturers. Drop-side cribs have caused the death of more than 30 infants and toddlers since 2000.

Child care facilities, infant Head Start centers, hotels and motels have until December 28, 2012, to use only cribs compliant with the new standards.

Visit the CPSC Crib Information Center for more information, including an updated questions and answers document on the new crib standards.

Washington warms up to Race to the Top

2011-06-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

As we await federal guidance on how to apply for the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) grant announced in late May, DEL has set up a web page where we will post updates on RTT-ELC.

You also can share your ideas, input and questions by emailing rtt-elc@del.wa.gov.

Guidance is expected in July for this $500 million competitive grant, which is meant to help states raise the quality of and integrate their early learning programs and services.

There’s still time! Please comment on the draft purpose and guiding principles for the early learning guidelines

2011-06-20T14:12:00.000-07:00

Our state is reviewing and redesigning our early learning guidelines to make sure they are culturally relevant; link to the K-12 system; and reflect what we now know about how children grow and learn. It is important for our state early learning system to have a set of early learning guidelines, which serve as a resource for common understanding about how children learn and grow and what everyone can do to support that.

We need your input!

Please go to our early learning guidelines section to learn more about this redesign process, and how you can give input on the draft purpose and guiding principle statements. On that page, under “Redesign,” you will find:

• A letter from Department of Early Learning Director Bette Hyde on this redesign process.
• Fast facts about the redesign process.
• A list of individuals on the redesign steering committee.
• A form for you to send your comments on the draft purpose and guiding principle statements.

Later this summer, draft early learning guidelines will be available for comment.

Child care licensing fees increase on July 1

2011-06-16T16:14:00.000-07:00

The 2011-2013 state operating budget raises annual child care licensing fees effective July 1, 2011. This money goes directly into the state general fund, not to the Department of Early Learning.

The new annual fee structure is as follows:

Child care centers and school-age programs

• $125 per year for the first 12 children; and

• $12 per year for each additional child up to the facility’s licensed capacity

Family home child care programs

$30 per year

This fee increase will be reflected on the invoice licensees receive 90 days prior to the anniversary date of your license. If you have already received an invoice because your fee is due in July, August or September, a supplemental invoice will be sent to you with details on how to pay this fee increase.

Please contact your local DEL licensing office if you have any questions.

Seasonal Child Care program available again July 1; new application process in place

2011-06-09T17:02:00.000-07:00

Families will be able to apply for the Seasonal Child Care (SCC) subsidy program again beginning July 1. The program had been suspended since December due to lack of funding.

DEL has made some changes to the program rules, including limiting entry to the program to help ensure the funding lasts through the year.

Also starting July 1, families will apply for SCC through the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), rather than through local organizations. DSHS will not begin taking SCC applications before July 1. Click here to read more about the new application process.

SCC provides subsidies to eligible seasonally employed agricultural families to help ensure their children are in safe, licensed care while parents are working.

DEL moves forward with Washington Quality Rating and Improvement System

2011-06-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, DEL sent information to some members of the early learning community about next steps for Washington’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS).

QRIS is a systemic way to improve quality of child care with a focus on child outcomes and school readiness. The model does this through supporting quality environments, effective teacher-child interactions and meaningful family engagement.

For the past two years, 80 participants from five communities participated in the Seeds to Success field test, which was led by our partners at Thrive by Five Washington, and will end on June 30. DEL will now begin moving toward statewide expansion by inviting up to 60 field test participants to become “early adopters” of the final QRIS model. Early adopters must meet certain requirements, and commit to helping with the development of a sustainable QRIS model that is child-centered and family-focused.

Early adopters will continue to receive coaching, scholarships, training and incentives to support their quality improvement efforts during the first year of the system.

Early adopter applicants must meet these requirements:

Participated in the Seeds to Success field test
Have spring 2011 follow-up evaluation data
Serve a minimum of four children ages birth through 5
Have an active state child care license (no suspensions, revocations and not currently on probation) with no pattern of non-compliance (cannot have two or more valid complaints of the same type within the past 12 months)
Serve children receiving state child care subsidies, or offer scholarships or a sliding fee scale for low-income families

DEL will send field test participants an information kit later this month, including an application. We expect to launch activities with providers in late August 2011. We aim to expand QRIS to new facilities statewide in summer 2012 (depending upon available resources).

Competition for additional federal home visiting funding announced

2011-06-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced up to $99 million in additional competitive grants to states to enhance home visiting efforts.

About $66 million of this funding will be awarded in four-year grants to between seven and 10 states who already have made significant progress in building a high-quality home visiting program as part of an early learning system.

Washington already has received a $1.3 million grant through the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visitation Programs (MIECHV) for fiscal year 2010. An updated state plan will be submitted by June 8 as the final step in accessing funds for program implementation.

States must apply by July 1, 2011, for these additional dollars. DEL will post more information about this application process as it becomes available.

To learn more about home visiting efforts in Washington, go to the home visiting section of our website.

The MIECHV is part of the Affordable Care Act. For more information on MIECHV, visit the HHS Health Resources and Services Administration online.

Feds share long-awaited details on Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge

2011-05-25T08:20:00.001-07:00

The speculation about an early learning-focused “Race to the Top” competition has been building for months, and today, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced a $500 million Early Learning Challenge competition among states.

“Race to the Top was an absolute game changer,” said Secretary Duncan during a press conference this morning. “We’re looking to have the same impact here in…early learning.”

States that successfully secure Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grants will have comprehensive plans for an early learning system with clear standards, good coordination among early learning partners, robust evaluation systems, information for parents, and quality professional development for those who work with young children. With our state Early Learning Plan already in place, the early learning community in Washington is excited to compete for these funds.

As Secretary Sebelius noted this morning, “A lot of this work has been going on in states for really a decade or more. We want to be informed by best practices and help raise the bar and drive those practices even further.”

RTTT-ELC grants will be awarded by the end of calendar year 2011. Many questions about the application process remain, but one thing is clear: With such a short timeline, states’ applications will need to be out the door within a few months.

The public can give input to the process by visiting www.ed.gov/blog/2011/05/rtt-early-learning-challenge/. The U.S. Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services will jointly administer the grant, and say guidance and information about eligibility, range of awards and number of grants is coming in the next few weeks.

Reminder to child care providers: Take your subsidy billing training!

2011-05-24T14:27:00.000-07:00

If you get state child care subsidy payments as a licensed family home child care provider or in-home/relative provider, you must take subsidy billing training by June 30. This training will help you understand how to correctly bill for subsidy payment.

You can take this training in any of these ways:

1. Online. Go to http://www.childcarenet.org/ and click on “Child Care Subsidy Billing Training.”
2. In class. Call the Washington State Child Care Resource & Referral Network at 1.800.446.1114. Enter your zip code at the prompt to connect with your local resource & referral program to sign up for class.
3. Self-paced workbook. Call your local resource & referral program (see step 2 above) to have this workbook mailed to you.

For more information on child care subsidies, please visit the Department of Early Learning child care subsidy page.

Big news for WaKIDS! Kindergarten transition bill signed into law

2011-05-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, Governor Chris Gregoire signed Senate Bill 5427, which will support school readiness for the 70,000-plus children who enter kindergarten in Washington each year.

Governor Gregoire signs WaKIDS bill, with DEL Director Bette Hyde, Rep. Ruth Kagi and early learning advocates looking on.

SB 5427 names the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) as the kindergarten transition process for all state-funded full-day kindergarten classes. This is voluntary during school year 2011-2012, and mandatory for those classes beginning in school year 2012-2013. The bill is contingent upon funding in the final 2011-2013 state operating budget. Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe sponsored the bill (Rep. Ruth Kagi sponsored the House version).

So why WaKIDS? This program—which DEL and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction are piloting in 120 classrooms around the state right now—brings together families, early learning providers and kindergarten teachers to help get every child off to a strong start in kindergarten.

First, teachers meet one-on-one with families to learn more about the children they will be teaching—their hopes, their strengths and needs, their worries and their family culture. Then, teachers get a snapshot of their students through an assessment of the child’s social/emotional; cognitive; linguistic; and physical development. And finally, the barriers between early learning and kindergarten are removed as teachers and early learning providers meet together to share information about children.

The University of Washington will deliver a final evaluation of the WaKIDS pilot year next month. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Thrive by Five Washington provided additional funding for the pilot year.

Good things happen for children when the right people are at the table—WaKIDS helps bring those people together. In Maryland, for example, where they’ve had a kindergarten readiness assessment since 2001, the percent of kindergarteners ready for school rose 32 points during the decade, from 49 percent to 81 percent. A report on Maryland’s success is available online.

Learn more about Washington’s efforts at www.del.wa.gov/wakids.

Governor signs three child care licensing bills

2011-05-10T17:02:00.000-07:00

Governor Gregoire just finished signing three bills that will help support safe child care settings and improve efficiency in our licensing practice.

Senate Bill 5504, known as the Colby Thompson Act, is meant to help crack down on unlicensed child care in Washington. It requires that DEL post on our website information about individuals who have not started the licensing process within 30 days of being notified that they are offering illegal, unlicensed care. The bill also boosts the potential penalty for family home child care providers offering unlicensed care from $75 per day to $150 per day. (Center penalties remain at $250 per day.) The bill was sponsored by Sen. Tracey Eide.

Under House Bill 1903, DEL will create a portable background check registry by July 1, 2012. After clearing a background check, child care licensees and their employees will be issued a three-year clearance card, which they can use at various child care facilities. This will help employees who wish to work in more than one place, and will help licensees by not requiring them to wait for a new hire’s background check to clear. The bill has protections to ensure DEL is made aware if something happens that could change an individual’s cleared background check status.

This bill also will require all individuals newly working in licensed child care starting July 1, 2012, who may have unsupervised access to children in care to undergo a fingerprint-based criminal background check. This currently is required only of individuals who have lived in the state less than three years. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Tina Orwall.

Senate Bill 5625 moves Washington to a non-expiring child care license system for those licensed providers in good standing. DEL will continue to monitor licensed family homes at least once every 18 months, and licensed centers at least once a year. However, licensees in good standing will no longer have to go through the reapplication process every three years. This will streamline paperwork for providers and for DEL. We will use any time saved to work with providers on offering quality care, to meet our GMAP licensing measures, and to do our other licensing-related functions.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Nick Harper (Rep. Mary Helen Roberts sponsored the House version).

Big day for child care in Washington!

DEL Director Bette Hyde joins Governor Gregoire, Senator Nick Harper and others for the signing of Senate Bill 5625.

Free Infant Information to Moms’ Phones

2011-05-06T14:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother’s Day! Did you know you can sign up for free text messages about pregnancy and infant health sent to your cell phone?

Text4baby, the country's first free, health information texting program. Text "BABY" (or “BEBE” for Spanish) to 511411. You’ll get weekly text messages timed to your due date or your baby’s birth date through the baby’s first year.

Text4baby is a service of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. The Washington State Department of Health is a partner of this effort to help pregnant women and new moms give their children a healthy start on life.

Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) earns nine out of 10 quality points

2011-04-26T17:17:00.000-07:00

Once again, Washington’s publicly funded preschool program ranks among the top in the nation, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research.

Our state’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) earned nine out of 10 quality points in the national organization’s 2010 Preschool Yearbook, released April 25. The quality checklist ranks several standards, including:

Whether the state has comprehensive early learning standards.
Staff-to-child ratios
Class sizes
Teacher qualifications
Screening/referral and support services
Program monitoring

Data shows that the more than 8,000 3- and 4-year-olds being served in ECEAP this school year will enter kindergarten better prepared for success in school and life. And we know they have big dreams for the future. Students in one northwest Washington ECEAP classroom recently shared their hopes with their teacher, and here’s what they said:

A police officer.
A cowboy.
An astronaut.
A doctor.
I want to work where my dad works.
How about a papi like my papi.
A baker.
A motorcycle rider.
A mommy.
Go to work at Costco like my dad.
A pilot and fly a jet.
Drive a fire truck.
An electrical engineer. I’m going to design electricity all over the world, even in poor places.
A singer.
A teacher.
Be in the army.
Go to college.
A painter.
A cowgirl.
A big kid.
A builder.
A worker at Denny’s.
A farmer.

For more information about ECEAP, visit www.del.wa.gov/care/find-hs-eceap/

Seeds to Success field test near end; DEL prepares to expand statewide

2011-04-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

On June 30, the field test will end for Seeds to Success, our state’s quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) and the Department of Early Learning (DEL) will begin moving toward statewide expansion.

QRIS programs offer information about child care quality to help parents find the right child care for their families. There are 25 states with programs, including Pennsylvania, Colorado and Massachusetts.

DEL partnered with Thrive by Five Washington to conduct the field test in five communities (Thrive demonstration communities of East Yakima, White Center, and Spokane, Clark and Kitsap counties). Working with the communities, Thrive, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, we’ve developed and tested quality standards, evaluated incentives and supports for child care providers, and created a nationally recognized program that has served about 3,000 children and 90 child care providers statewide. We have learned a great deal about what works and what can be improved to better support child care providers in creating quality environments.

In recognition of their work to ensure high-quality learning environments for Washington’s children, eligible field test participants will have the opportunity to continue with the program. They will become early adopters of the final QRIS model and continue to receive continue to receive training and support to improve child care. Application criteria for early adopters will be availablein May.

DEL is committed to expanding Seeds statewide. After June 30, we will have the final data to refine the quality standards and begin building the technology, policies and systemwide training necessary to expand to more communities. This work will take time, and DEL does not anticipate inviting new child care centers and family homes to participate until next year.

Nationally and here in our state, QRIS is a top priority. Washington is one of 10 states nationwide invited to partner with the federal Office of Child Care to ensure our system aligns with federal benchmarks and priorities. Moving forward on QRIS is a key strategy of the 10-year statewide Early Learning Plan and the report delivered to the Legislature by the Professional Development Consortium in December 2010. DEL has prioritized a portion of our federal funding in the next biennium for this work.

To learn more about the Seeds to Success model, visit www.del.wa.gov/seeds.

Love.Talk.Play: New statewide campaign launches!

2011-04-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

Parenting isn’t always easy. Now there’s a new resource that helps parents of babies and toddlers understand three simple actions they can take to give their child a great start in life: Love. Talk. Play.

The statewide education and awareness campaign kicks off this week, which is the National Week of the Young Child. “Love. Talk. Play.” is shaped by information from national early learning experts, conversations with parents, and input from local early learning coalitions and other partners.

We at the Department of Early Learning are proud to join our partners at Thrive by Five Washington and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction as primary sponsors of this effort. Parent awareness is a key strategy in the statewide Early Learning Plan.

Visit http://www.lovetalkplay.org/ to learn more!

Families move off child care subsidy waiting list, onto program

2011-04-04T18:04:00.000-07:00

On April 1, the Department of Early Learning (DEL) began notifying about half of families on the Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy waiting list that space is now available for them on the program. We are sending letters to 1,431 families letting them know they have 10 days to call and complete the application process.

WCCC helps families with low incomes pay for child care while they work or meet WorkFirst participation requirements. DEL began the waiting list on March 1 to help balance a shortfall in the WorkFirst budget. The program now serves a maximum of 35,200 families each month. DEL determines how many families can be pulled from the waiting list after looking at program usage and payment data.

Families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and families of children with special needs have priority access to WCCC. Remaining families with incomes at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for WCCC on a “first come, first served” basis.

Find out more by visiting the WCCC page on the DEL website.

Senate Committee hears about home visiting in Washington

2011-03-23T16:23:00.000-07:00

Evidence-based home visiting services help improve school readiness, child health and public safety in Washington, a panel including DEL Director Bette Hyde told the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee this morning.

DEL Director Bette Hyde and Thrive by Five CEO and President Nina Auerbach speak to the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee

During home visits, trained professionals offer information and support to expecting and new parents to help them in their role as their child's first and most important teacher. This support is particularly important in the first years of life, when a child's brain is growing and forming connections faster than at any other time, Hyde said.

In our state, several entities including DEL and our private nonprofit partner Thrive by Five Washington are working to leverage public and private dollars to support and expand home visiting services. Home visiting is a key strategy in our statewide Early Learning Plan and Birth to Three Plan to help support families and reduce risk factors.

Watch today's presentation below from TVW.

Read more about home visiting on DEL's website, and on Thrive's website.

Yesterday, DEL announced seven at-risk communities invited to participate in the next steps for a federal home visiting funding opportunity. This work is part of a $1.3 million home visiting program grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Washington among top in nation for child care center licensing

2011-03-17T08:28:00.000-07:00

Washington once again ranks among the top in the nation for our licensing rules and oversight for child care centers, according to a National Association for Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) report released this week.

Washington ranks sixth in the nation overall for our center regulations and oversight. We ranked ninth in the last NACCRRA report, issued in 2009.

NACCRRA highlighted some of the strengths in our center licensing work, including: unannounced monitoring visits and complaint inspections; regulations that address all developmental domains as well as all basic health and safety standards; and an emphasis on parent involvement and information.

The Department of Early Learning licenses about 2,000 centers around the state, which includes school-age programs. View our state’s center rules and school-age rules here: www.del.wa.gov/laws/rules/licensing.aspx

NACCRRA recommends that Washington:

Increase frequency of inspections of child care centers (we currently inspect once every 12 months for centers).
Require center directors to have a bachelor’s degree or higher in early childhood education or a related field.
Increase the education requirements for lead teachers to a child development associate (CDA) credential or an associate degree in early childhood education or related field (currently high school diploma or GED).
Increase annual training requirements to 24 hours, including CPR and first-aid (currently 10 hours).
Require fingerprints for checking individuals’ criminal history (currently our state only requires fingerprints for those who have lived in the state less than three years).

See Washington’s report card here: www.naccrra.org/publications/naccrra-publications/publications/states/Washington.pdf

NACCRRA also ranks regulations and oversight for family home child care in a separate report—the 2010 report is available here: www.naccrra.org/publications/naccrra-publications/leaving-children-to-chance-2010.php

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan joins Governor, legislators to discuss Department of Education proposal

2011-03-14T17:26:00.000-07:00

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has weighed in on our state’s conversation about how to build a more student-focused education system, first in a March 8 opinion piece in the Seattle Times and again today during a teleconference education roundtable with Governor Chris Gregoire and education leaders in the Washington Legislature.

Watch today’s education roundtable below.

The Governor has proposed a single state Department of Education to coordinate early learning, K-12 and higher education.

The bill currently being considered is SB 5639. The House has passed a bill, HB 1849, which would study the issue.

“To me, it’s just really encouraging that we’re putting these tough issues on the table and having thoughtful conversations about them,” Duncan said. “The more courage we can show in making these decisions—our children and ultimately our country desperately need our leadership now more than ever.”

Legislators visited the issue of early learning as a smart investment during the conversation. Rep. Pat Sullivan, D-Covington, asked Duncan how states can protect early learning in tough budget times.

“If we’re serious about getting educators at every level out of the remediation business, that means we have to have a lot more children enter kindergarten ready to learn and ready to read, with literacy and socialization skills intact,” Duncan replied.

Working Connections Child Care Changes

2011-02-16T09:13:00.000-08:00

Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) helps families with low incomes pay for child care while they work or meet WorkFirst participation requirements. Additional changes are being made to WCCC to balance the program budget for the current fiscal year and the 2011-2013 biennium.

Beginning March 1, 2011, families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and families of children with specials needs will receive priority access to WCCC. Remaining families with incomes at 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines or less will receive child care benefits on a “first come, first served” basis until the program reaches a set limit. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will keep a waiting list of potentially eligible families who apply. Families will be notified by mail when there are openings in the child care program, and they will have 10 days to complete the application process.

Families who currently receive WCCC benefits remain income eligible until their monthly incomes exceed 175 percent of the FPG. The copayment increases previously announced for February 1 and March 1 remain the same.

For more information, including potential questions and answers, visit: www.del.wa.gov/care/help/connections.aspx

We know these are tough messages for families, child care providers and communities. If a family is placed on a waiting list, check with the local child care resource and referral program to see if there any child care providers in the community offer a sliding fee scale or scholarship opportunities. There are also statewide hotlines that can help connect families to local resources, including:

ParentHelp123 helps connect Washington families to food and health resources: 1.800.322.2588
Washington Information Network 2-1-1 helps residents obtain information on health and human services: 2-1-1 or toll-free 1.877.211.WASH (9274)

WaKIDS shines at joint work session

2011-02-04T15:14:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, DEL Director Bette Hyde, OSPI Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Jessica Vavrus and others talked about the WaKIDS pilot to a joint work session of the House Education and Early Learning & Human Services. WaKIDS is the pilot kindergarten readiness process going on now in 115 school districts. Superintendent Randy Dorn submitted audio testimony in support of the project.

Check out the video from TVW.

The WaKIDS pilot includes three parts:

Family connection — Time for the kindergarten teacher and family to meet and share information about the child entering kindergarten.
An assessment of where children are in four domains of child development (social/emotional; literacy; cognitive; physical). Three different “bundles” of assessment tools are being tested by different communities during the pilot.
Early learning collaboration—Time for early learning providers and kindergarten teachers to meet and share information about children entering kindergarten.

WaKIDS preliminary data suggest that more than a third of those children participating in WaKIDS enter kindergarten below expected skill levels. The parent, preschool teacher and kindergarten teacher who also testified on Thursday spoke to the great improvement in personal connections, learning and enthusiasm that resulted from using the WaKIDS tools. OSPI has submitted legislation to include WaKIDS in state-funded kindergarten classrooms.

Toppenish preschool teacher Krista Goudy-Sutterlict from described how the WaKIDS process strengthens the relationships between preschool and kindergarten teachers which can then guide and strengthen early learning settings.

“What I mean by strengthening the relationship, we’re using the same language,” she said.

Goudy-Sutterlict, who is also a member of the Yakama Nation, said she works to incorporate cultural awareness into her classroom.

“What I appreciate about the WaKIDS process is its holistic approach,” she said.

Hortensia West, a Spanish immersion kindergarten teacher in the Bremerton School District visited her students and their families in the two weeks before school started to learn about their expectations, traditions and personalities. Using the WaKIDS tools showed her where she needed to adjust her teaching and lesson plans to fit her students’ strengths and weaknesses.

“Taking all that information, I brought it into the classroom and it has made a tremendous difference,” she said. “There’s so much cohesiveness.”

Surina Warren-Nash, a parent in Ridgefield School District, explained how when her son (who is now in third grade) first entered kindergarten, the teacher didn’t support using the information collected from his ECEAP and Head Start classrooms. The WaKIDS process encourages information sharing to build a full picture of a child. Warren-Nash hopes this is what happens for her daughter who is about to enter kindergarten.

“WaKIDS just makes sense,” she said.

For more information about WaKIDS, visit www.del.wa.gov/wakids.

Working Connections Child Care subsidy agreement begins today

2011-02-01T09:36:00.000-08:00

Eligibility changes for the Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) program will not go into effect today, but instead, families will see higher copayments and potential waiting lists.

New eligibility rules were planned for today due to budget shortfalls and caseload increases. However, a new agreement will keep families with incomes up to 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) eligible for the program, but increase their out-of-pocket costs.

Effective February 1, 2011, through February 28, 2011:

Families with incomes above 82 percent of the FPG to 137.5 percent will have copayments increase from $50 to $60 per month.
Families with incomes above 137.5 percent of the FPG through 175 percent will have monthly copayments increase using a sliding scale.

Effective March 1, 2011:

Families with incomes above 82 percent of the FPG to 137.5 percent will have copayments increase to $65 per month.
Families with incomes above 137.5 percent of the FPG through 175 percent will have monthly copayments increase using a sliding scale.

There will be no copayment change for families with incomes at or below 82 percent of the FPG. Their payments remain $15 a month.

Another change starting today will allow only licensed or certified family home child care providers to be eligible for field trip fee reimbursements for children in subsidized care. Child care centers and school-age centers will not be eligible for field trip fees.

About 37,400 families use the WCCC program a month to help pay for child care while they work or meet WorkFirst participation requirements. DEL is working with partners to determine how best to implement the new agreements to support families while achieving needed cost savings. Certain families may be placed on a waiting list to receive help. The extent of this waiting list is unclear until it is determined how many families exit the program.

More information will be shared as it is available and posted on our WCCC web page.

DEL releases new phase of MERIT, including user profiles

2011-01-24T13:33:00.000-08:00

We’re excited today to launch a new phase of the online tool that will help child care providers and other early learning professionals track their State Training and Registry System (STARS) trainings and professional development.

The Managed Education and Registry Information Tool (MERIT) is DEL’s online training database available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to trainers and early learning professionals. Also inside MERIT are available trainings, training and educational completion forms and other tools. This new database will help keep accurate records, as well as build a stronger statewide professional development system. Check it out at http://merit.del.wa.gov/.

Starting today, child care providers and other professionals can create an online profile to help track their professional development.

They can also:

Search for upcoming training events without logging in.
Look up a STARS ID if it has been forgotten or misplaced. Those who had a STARS ID before will continue to have the same ID in MERIT.
Apply online for a STARS ID number for those who have never had a STARS ID.
View and print full training history, including information from the old STARS database .
Update online basic personal information.
Begin an application to update education, certification/endorsement information and training profile.

A guide to these tasks can be found here.

Also starting today, trainers and training organization can complete their attendance lists and class payment histories. Once a participant is listed as attending the training, his or her training history is automatically updated.

Trainers are now recording attendance for trainings taken since the beginning of 2010. They have not been able to enter this information until now. Early learning professionals are encouraged to wait to call or e-mail DEL about missing trainings in their accounts until after June 1, 2011. Trainers need time to enter the information in MERIT.

If you have questions about MERIT, please e-mail merit@del.wa.gov or call 1-866-482-4325 and choose option 8. We are excited about this new tool and its potential for our state!

Working Connections Child Care subsidy program changes on February 1

2011-01-14T16:50:00.000-08:00

Beginning February 1, there will be new eligibility rules for the Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy program due to budget shortfalls and caseload increases.

At the Department of Early Learning, we know there has been some confusion about what exactly these new rules will mean. Here is a brief explanation of how it will work. For more information, please visit our WCCC web page.

Beginning February 1:

For new families applying for WCCC: These families must also receive a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant or be determined eligible for TANF to be eligible for WCCC. Once approved for WCCC, families may remain on the program—so long as they continue to meet all eligibility requirements—until they go above 175 percent federal poverty guidelines (FPG).
Families currently receiving WCCC: These families may remain on the program—so long as they continue to meet all eligibility requirements—until their income is more than 175 percent federal poverty guidelines (FPG). Click here to see the eligibility chart.
If your family currently pays monthly copayment is $50 or more, $10 will be added to your share of the cost of child care.

Families currently receiving WCCC must reapply before their current eligibility period ends, or they will need to meet the new eligibility requirement.

So what does “be determined eligible for TANF” mean?

Those eligible for TANF must be Washington State residents who are responsible for the care of children or who are pregnant. Families must meet:

Income and resource requirements
Citizenship or alien status requirements

Income and resource requirements:

TANF benefits are based on family size and income. When a household member starts working, half of the earnings are counted against the grant. If a member of the household starts receiving unemployment or another type of unearned income, the entire amount is counted against the grant.

To be eligible for TANF, families must have resources of $1,000 or less. Resources are things like:

Checking and savings accounts
Stocks, bonds, or mutual funds
Vehicle equity over $5,000

Find out more about TANF eligibility and how to apply, on the Department of Social and Health Services TANF section.

WaKIDS, child care licensing reports submitted to legislature

2011-01-14T16:35:00.000-08:00

DEL submitted reports to the state legislature on two important bodies of work: child care licensing improvements and our kindergarten readiness pilot. Both reports were due on Jan. 15, 2011.

Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS)

WaKIDS is a kindergarten transition process that allows families, kindergarten teachers and early learning professionals to gather and share information about incoming kindergarteners. WaKIDS is being piloted throughout the 2010-2011 school year in 115 classrooms around the state, with approximately 2,600 kindergarteners. Click to see the report from DEL and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction about how the pilot was designed, implemented and recommendations for next steps.

WaKIDS information is gathered through:

A teacher-family meeting where they discuss items such as the language spoken in the home, family traditions, and a child’s likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses
An assessment of the child in four domains:

Social and emotional development
Cognition and general knowledge
Language, communication and literacy
Physical well-being, health and motor development

Meetings between early learning professionals and teachers to share information about children.

This information helps kindergarten teachers plan lessons and support each student in the best possible way. Data from three piloted assessment tools was collected and analyzed by the University of Washington, where staff are leading the research, data analysis, technical support for teachers and assessment materials. Click here to see the preliminary data report submitted by UW.

The preliminary results suggest that more than a third of those children participating in WaKIDS enter kindergarten below expected skill levels. In the area of language, communication, and literacy, nearly half of the children enter with skills below the expected grade level. While only preliminary, this important data that will help teachers, families, early learning professionals and policymakers understand how to move forward and help kids succeed in school.

For more information about WaKIDS, visit www.del.wa.gov/wakids

Child Care Licensing Report

The 2010 supplemental budget directed DEL to develop a plan for how the agency can improve our child care licensing practices. These improvements should be focused on how DEL can increase efficiency, enhance relationships with providers and improve the quality of child care in Washington.

In its report, DEL’s recommendations include allowing non-expiring licenses, increased investment in child care licensing technology and moving toward weighted standards. Click to read the full report.

The plan collected feedback of parents, child care providers, DEL licensing staff, and early learning advocates through a regular work group and a series of online surveys for licensed child care providers at www.del.wa.gov/reboot. Because of necessary investments, it is estimated the full plan would take 10 years to implement.

In many ways, child care licensing already has a strong foundation in Washington. Data from the 2008 Market Rate Survey (which DEL conducts every two years as the state’s lead agency for the federal CCDF) show that the majority of licensed child care providers are satisfied with their licensors, and feel comfortable working with their licensors to ensure they offer safe, healthy care. The National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies ranks Washington’s child care licensing rules and oversight as among the top 10 in the nation, for both centers and family home child care (third in the nation for family homes and ninth for centers).

Seeds to Success gives first peek at quality child care ratings

2011-01-13T14:42:00.000-08:00

Washington now has our first baseline ratings for Seeds to Success, the voluntary quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) our state is developing for licensed child care. The University of Washington, in partnership with the Department of Early Learning and Thrive by Five Washington, released the preliminary ratings in a progress report about field test’s second year.

Rated during the summer and fall, the 93 family home and child care sites participating in the two-year field test of Seeds to Success earned an average 1.04 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 as the top score. According to the report, there are many good things happening in licensed child care, but there is more work to do in providing children with high quality learning environments.

All programs were rated on four areas:

curriculum and learning environment
professional development and training
family and community partnerships
leadership and management practices

The UW’s Childcare Quality and Early Learning Center evaluated each of those areas using a combination of observation and two established measures of classroom quality: the Environmental Rating Scales (ERS), which measures a program’s environment, and the Classroom Assessment Scoring Scale (CLASS), which measures provider-child interactions. According to the UW report, both CLASS and ERS scores averaged in the mid range for quality.

While initial ratings are low, this baseline provides DEL and its partners with a wealth of new information and opportunities. This is the first time the entire system of quality standards has been tested. The ratings will be compared with ratings collected this spring to determine to what degree coaching, funding for professional development and other resources help child care providers improve the quality of care they offer families.

“The child care providers who are participating in this field test already are showing they care deeply about quality learning opportunities for our youngest children,” DEL Director Bette Hyde said. “These ratings help us get the bigger picture of the Seeds to Success system and what it can do in our state.”

Seeds to Success is designed to support licensed child care providers in improving the quality of child care they offer children and families. When fully operational, unbiased QRIS ratings allow parents to compare quality and make choices that are best for their families.

The five communities participating in the field test are the two Thrive demonstration communities of East Yakima, White Center and Spokane, Clark and Kitsap counties.

The Seeds to Success field test ends on June 30, 2011. DEL will then share trend data and overall averages – not individual facility ratings – as the standards and model are expected to change based on the results of the field test. This data will be used to inform our work expanding QRIS statewide.

For more information, visit www.del.wa.gov/seeds.

Governor announces proposal for new Department of Education

2011-01-05T13:01:00.000-08:00

Today, Governor Gregoire laid out her vision for building a consolidated, streamlined education system focused on preparing students to compete in the global economy. Washington has come a long way in making children a priority in our state. Our governor wants to take the next step by focusing all education issues on student achievement by providing a seamless, state-level education system from early learning through career. You can watch her press conference on www.tvw.org.

Her proposal is bold, and it is sure to cause a lot of conversation this legislative session! She proposes creating one Department of Education with a Governor-appointed Secretary of Education. The Department of Education would include divisions dedicated to early learning, K-12, community and technical colleges, and universities. You can see the details of Governor Gregoire’s proposal by clicking here. The early years division would focus on “whole child” development, quality child care and preschool options, and parent education and information. This proposal will be brought to the Legislature for consideration during the session that begins next Monday, Jan. 10.

DEL staff will be closely watching this proposal and the discussion in the Legislature. Stay tuned!

Changes to Working Connections Child Care subsidy eligibility

2010-12-17T16:51:00.000-08:00

Additional reductions are being made to the WorkFirst budget (which includes child care subsidies) to balance it for the current fiscal year (which ends June 30, 2011) and the 2011-2013 biennium. This is in addition to $51 million in cuts to WorkFirst announced last August, which at that time included moving from 200 to 175 percent federal poverty level for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidies eligibility.

These new reductions are needed in part because assumed emergency Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding was not appropriated by the federal government, and in part because of increased caseloads.

Here is what the new reductions mean for WCCC (information clarified on Jan. 10).

Families who currently pay a monthly copayment of $50 or more will see a $10 increase in their copayment.
All new families applying for WCCC must also receive a TANF grant or be determined eligible for TANF to be eligible for WCCC.
All eligible families who currently receive WCCC are income eligible until their income is more than 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines. For example, a family of three can’t earn more than $2,671 a month.

Please note: Families must reapply for WCCC before their current eligibility period ends or they will need to meet the new WCCC eligibility requirement.

As part of the August 2010 cuts, on Jan. 1, anyone receiving WCCC subsidies who is above 175 percent FPL will no longer receive the benefit. The 1,112 families affected by this, and the child care providers who serve them, have been notified.

All the WorkFirst reductions will be posted online next week at www.dshs.wa.gov/TANFimpacts.shtml.
We at DEL know that these are tough messages for families and providers. We must keep working to come out of this economic situation stronger than before, and smarter about leveraging every available resource. DEL is participating in an effort to put forward to Gov. Chris Gregoire a set of recommendations around redesigning WorkFirst, and will share more information about that when it is available.

Early learning in the Governor’s proposed 2011-2013 budget

2010-12-15T16:00:00.000-08:00

When releasing her proposed 2011-2013 budget this morning, Governor Chris Gregoire said the single most common denominator of individuals in state prisons is not drugs or alcohol, but lack of education. Her proposed budget tries to protect education, she said, especially in children’s earliest years.

Still, Washington faces a $4.6 billion shortfall in the coming biennium due to the national economic downturn. The Governor’s proposed 2011-2013 budget includes many difficult choices. It is one that reflects the fact that demands and costs for state services are up when revenues are down.

You can find the Governor’s entire budget proposal here. This is the budget for the biennium that begins on July 1, 2011. Her proposal goes to the Legislature as a “blueprint” for budget deliberations during legislative session.

Specific to our state’s youngest learners, the proposed budget:

Increases enrollment slots for 4-year-olds in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, while reducing slots for 3-year-olds. (Total of 460 slots cut from ECEAP, and a proportional cut to DEL ECEAP administration, for $9 million savings)
Eliminates the Career and Wage Ladder program ($3 million savings)
Reduces funding for administration for Seasonal Child Care subsidies ($2 million savings)
Does not carry forward Reach Out and Read literacy funding, and does not fund Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS)
Suspends planned increase of state-funded all-day kindergarten—continuing to fund the program for lowest income schools ($57 million savings)
Suspends the smaller class size and employee salary increase initiatives under Initiatives 728 ($860.2 million savings) and 732 ($253.3 million savings).
Eliminates K-4 class-size reduction funds ($216 million savings)
Eliminates the Children’s Health Program, which provides medical coverage for 27,000 children whose citizenship has not been documented ($59 million savings) and eliminates the Basic Health Plan ($230.2 million state fund savings; $117.3 million federal savings)
Proposes a new public/private partnership focused on reducing the impact of toxic stress and trauma (adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs), building on the success of the Family Policy Council and the Community Public Health and Safety Networks.

We at DEL are still looking at the entire proposed budget and will provide more information as we have it.

Legislature wraps up assembly days: What was the early learning conversation?

2010-12-10T16:56:00.000-08:00

The Legislature finished up a week of committee meetings today. During these “assembly days,” lawmakers get updates on key issues that they’ll likely focus on during the upcoming legislative session (the 2011 session starts Jan. 10).

Our state’s youngest learners continued to be a hot topic on Capitol Campus. DEL updated legislators on several initiatives:

On Monday, we and our partners at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction updated the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee on the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) pilot, currently under way in 115 classrooms around the state. Click here to watch that presentation, which includes a “real world” view from a kindergarten teacher participating in the WaKIDS pilot.
On Thursday, we shared information with the House Education Appropriations Committee on the progress of the preschool work group established in Senate Bill 6759. The work group is charged with creating a plan that looks at what a “voluntary program of early learning” might look like in Washington. (You can read more about this on the preschool work group web page.) Click here to watch that presentation.
And earlier today, DEL Director Bette Hyde updated the House Early Learning & Children’s Services Committee on DEL’s accomplishments and next steps. Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn and Thrive by Five Washington President & CEO Nina Auerbach joined Bette to talk about our strong Early Learning Joint Resolution Partnership, and the key priorities from the Early Learning plan we are focused on implementing in 2011. Video of that work session will be online at www.tvw.org soon.

Thrive by Five Washington President & CEO Nina Auerbach, DEL Director Bette Hyde and Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn present to the House Early Learning & Children's Services Committee on Friday, Dec. 10.

Also this week: Both House and Senate committees heard updates on an effort to create recommendations to redesign WorkFirst, Washington’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The WorkFirst program includes Working Connections Child Care subsidies.

Recommendations for how to redesign WorkFirst as a sustainable program that helps vulnerable residents on the path to self-sufficiency are expected to be delivered to the Governor in January. Watch the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee work session here and the House Health & Human Services Appropriations Committee work session here.

Resources from early learning symposium now available online

2010-11-24T12:36:00.000-08:00

Earlier this month, scientists, early learning leaders and others met together in Seattle for a symposium highlighting the newest research on children’s brains and development and how to use that knowledge across Washington. Participants heard from:

Dr. Jack Shonkoff, Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
Dr. Robert Anda, consultant with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Patricia Kuhl, the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences at the University of Washington

The event was sponsored by Casey Family Programs, who made the symposium resources and presentations available online. Click here to check them out.

The first video includes Department of Social and Health Services Secretary Susan Dreyfus, Department of Early Learning Director Bette Hyde and Department of Health Secretary Mary Selecky who have committed to working together to improve outcomes for Washington children.

“The three of us put our hands on the table together, and we made a pledge,” Dreyfus said. “We made a pledge of a commitment to early childhood in the state of Washington.”

The three agencies recognize early childhood spans physical health, mental health and every development milestone, Dreyfus said. The new state Early Learning Plan aims to tie together all these efforts into a cohesive approach to support children and families, said Hyde, who followed Dreyfus at the podium.

“We are looking at partnerships in a whole new way,” she said.

Seattle Times columnist Jerry Large also attended the symposium, and you can read what he took away.

DEL boosts child care licensing performance, earns applause from Governor

2010-11-10T11:17:00.000-08:00

The Department of Early Learning (DEL) child care licensing team got kudos and applause this morning during the Government Management Accountability and Performance (GMAP) forum on vulnerable children.

GMAP is Governor Chris Gregoire’s tool to hold government accountable for performance. DEL is involved in two GMAP areas: vulnerable children (for our child care licensing) and education (for our Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, or ECEAP).

We are proud of the incredible effort our team has made to improve timely monitoring visits, licensing complaint inspections and inspections involving allegations of abuse or neglect. These GMAP measures are tied to child health and safety in licensed child care. We had work to do to make sure we were focusing on and meeting these measures.

Our entire agency, especially our licensing team, worked together over the past months to:

• Increase our performance on timely monitoring visits of licensed facilities by 33 percent
• Exceed our target for closing complaints that do not involve allegations of child abuse or neglect.
• Decrease the average time it takes to close licensing complaints involving allegations of child abuse or neglect.

You can watch the forum shortly on http://www.tvw.org/ by going to “Media Archives.” More information on DEL’s GMAP measures can be found at http://www.accountability.wa.gov/. Learn more about DEL’s child care licensing work and why it matters by reading You Have a Choice! A Guide to Finding Quality Child Care.

We are proud of this hard work to make sure licensed child care facilities are safe, healthy, nurturing places for children in Washington!

Give your input on the draft policy recommendations for Washington's Birth to 3 Plan

2010-11-05T16:39:00.000-07:00

The Legislature passed a bill last session (House Bill 2687) asking DEL to create a plan for how to ensure a "robust continuum of services" for parents and caregivers of children birth to 3. The plan is to look at education and support around healthy child development.

DEL and Thrive by Five Washington have led the drafting of the plan, which will be delivered to the Governor and Legislature in December. We need your input on the draft policy recommendations in the plan!

Click here to read the draft policy recommendations, and then click here to take a brief survey to give your input.

DEL's agency strategic plan now online

2010-11-01T17:09:00.000-07:00

So what exactly is the Department of Early Learning's mission, and how do we know whether our work is having a positive impact on outcomes for children in Washington?

Our 2011-2014 Agency Strategic Plan is now online. Click here to read about our work and how it aligns with our state's Early Learning Plan.

Our vision: Our state offers world-class, developmentally and culturally appropriate early learning opportunities for all of Washington’s youngest learners, so each child enters kindergarten with a solid foundation for success in school and life.

Our mission: The Department of Early Learning develops, implements and coordinates system oversight to early learning policy and programs that create safe, healthy, nurturing learning experiences for all Washington children.

Our strategic goals:

Provide high-quality, safe, and healthy early care and education opportunities for all children.
Partner with and inform parents, families and communities about early learning.
Support early learning professionals with professional development and technical assistance.
Promote excellence and hold the system accountable for results.

Core competencies mailed to licensed child care providers

2010-10-21T17:04:00.000-07:00

Licensed child care providers should be receiving a copy of a new publication, Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals, in the mail shortly.

In 2009, the Legislature asked DEL and the Professional Development Consortium (PDC) to create a set of core competencies for early learning and child care professionals. This set of guidelines defines what professionals need to know and be able to do to provide quality education and care. Spanish versions have not yet been developed.

The core competencies can be used in many ways. For example:

Providers and teachers might use them to decide where they should seek more training or education.
Trainers might use them to plan professional development.
College staff might use them to design course content.

Accompanying school-age core competencies developed by School’s Out Washington were developed simultaneously with the early care core competencies. These competencies delve more deeply into specific core knowledge and skills needed of school-age professionals who specialize in the care and education of children in kindergarten through high school. DEL and the PDC have worked with School’s Out Washington to ensure that the school-age core competencies and these early care and education core competencies are aligned. These will be available shortly.

DEL used federal funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to create, print and distribute the Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals.

For more information, visit: www.del.wa.gov/partnerships/development/core.aspx

School-age programs: Encouraging our state’s budding artists!

2010-10-12T16:31:00.000-07:00

Recycled material masterpiece!

One of the best parts of working at the Department of Early Learning is getting to see children’s works of art when we’re out and about in child care facilities, preschools and other early learning settings.

A child care licensor in our Spokane DEL office recently noticed this beauty (see right) while visiting the licensed afterschool program at Discovery School Center. A sixth-grader named Brevin made this creative bird last month using only recycled materials.

Licensed school-age child care programs are a great way for children to have structured before- and afterschool time to learn, make friends and build important social skills. Learn more about what to look for when seeking school-age care for your child by visiting the school-age care section of our website.

DEL postpones filing proposed family home child care rules

2010-10-06T13:18:00.000-07:00

DEL will not be filing family home child care rules today and making them available for public comment, as had been planned. We are postponing filing to allow for more discussion time for DEL and other members of the family home child care negotiated rulemaking team (NRMT).

It is DEL’s responsibility to ensure safe, healthy licensed child care settings. Our goal with updating the family home child care rules is to make sure they are child-focused, research-based, consensus-driven rules that promote safety, health, and quality in licensed family home child care settings.

Members of the NRMT met for nearly three years to discuss current rules, review research and make recommendations on the proposed rules. As the regulatory agency, DEL then reviewed the team’s recommendations and prepared the proposed rules for formal filing.

DEL believes the proposed rules would support healthy, safe, high-quality family home care. We also want to honor the process and the work of the NRMT and ensure that team members feel their voices are heard and opinions considered before filing the proposed rules.

Click here to learn more about the negotiated rule making process for family home child care.

Working Connections Child Care eligibility changes to take effect Oct. 1

2010-09-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

Eligibility for the Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy program will be reduced to 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Level effective Oct. 1. This program helps low-income families pay for child care while adults work, look for work or attend training.

The new level (a monthly income of less than $2,670 for a family of three) is reduced from 200 percent of the poverty level and is expected to affect about 2,500 families using the program.

"These are real parents and kids who depend on this program to provide safe places for their children during the workday," DEL Director Bette Hyde said. "The Governor made a very tough decision in order to balance the budget and still protect the most vulnerable families."

The change is part of $51 million in cuts to the WorkFirst program for the rest of state fiscal year 2011. WorkFirst is our state’s “welfare to work” program, which helps low-income families become self-sufficient through training and support services. Gov. Chris Gregoire announced the cuts in August, as a result of increased WorkFirst demand and decreased state resources. Cuts to WCCC are expected to save about $16.8 million.

Families will not immediately lose benefits but will be reevaluated against the new level when the time comes to renew. Eligibility for the Seasonal Child Care (SCC) program also will be reduced to 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.

Click here for more information and for ways to give input on these changes.

Families who are looking for child care can contact their local Child Care Resource & Referral agency. There are also resources for children cared for by family, friends or neighbors.

Last “Learning for Life” segment features WaKIDS

2010-09-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

For more than a year, our private nonprofit partner Thrive by Five Washington worked with KING 5 News to produce weekly segments about early learning topics here in our state. Today was the last in the series and featured our exciting kindergarten readiness pilot project.

Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) began this year in 120 classrooms around the state. It involves people important in helping kids achieve school readiness: parents, kindergarten teachers, child care providers and other early learning professionals. They meet together throughout the year and share information about a child’s strengths and needs.

As the kindergarten teacher in the KING 5 clip explains, it’s important to learn about the family, such as what language is spoken in the home and if books are available.

These discussions are about more than just if a child knows her letters and numbers, but how she learns, plays with others and uses her body. This assessment process becomes a baseline to help show what kids know when they enter kindergarten and how to support them through their education.

DEL, Thrive and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction worked together to design this pilot to support school readiness in both schools and communities. For more information about WaKIDS, including which schools are participating, visit www.del.wa.gov/wakids

DEL signs agreement with federally recognized Tribes

2010-09-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

DEL Director Bette Hyde recently joined leaders from several of Washington’s 29 federally recognized Tribes in Spokane to sign communication and consultation protocols. These agreements guide how DEL communicates with and seeks input from each of the tribes as sovereign governments.

Suquamish Tribe Chairman Leonard Forsman
and DEL Director Bette Hyde sign the agreement.

Tribes have long been leaders in early childhood development and education, and DEL has worked hard to build strong partnerships that support culturally relevant early learning opportunities for all children, including Tribal children.

Both protocols are aligned with the Centennial Accord and New Millenium Agreement—agreements between Tribes and the State of Washington to ensure productive government-to-government relationships.

Read the consultation and communication protocols—and learn more about the way DEL supports and collaborates with Tribes—by visiting our Tribal Nations page.

Benefits of pre-k-3rd grade continuum featured at House committee work session

2010-09-16T15:07:00.000-07:00

State officials and local school districts are working hard to “bridge the gap” between early learning and K-12. That was the message Wednesday during a House Education Committee work session on the importance of building a strong learning continuum for children pre-k through third grade.

DEL Director Bette Hyde opened the session by making the case for eliminating—not just reducing—the education achievement gap.

When Washington kindergarten teachers say about half of children enter kindergarten not ready, that doesn’t bode well for further success in the K-12 education system, Hyde said.

“Get rid of an achievement gap by never letting it start,” she said.

Hyde also talked about reducing the “fade-out” effect, which occurs when benefits gained in high-quality early childhood programs weaken over time. We can mitigate “fade-out” by helping ensure children have high-quality early learning opportunities and smooth, intentional transitions into kindergarten through 3rd grade, she said.

Also at the hearing, Annie Pennucci from the Washington State Institute for Public Policy presented preliminary research on how preschool opportunities impact test scores, graduation rates and other factors for low-income students.

DEL Deputy Director Bob Hamilton and Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction WaKIDS Coordinator Dana Ziemba shared an update on the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS), being piloted this school year in 120 classrooms around the state.

A key component of the WaKIDS pilot is creating connections among the child care and preschool programs, parents, kindergarten teachers and school districts. Listen to Katherine Cove, preschool cooperative director, discuss what success can look like from the Toppenish School District.

To view the entire work session, click here.

Seattle Times helps spread the word about Early Learning Plan

2010-09-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

Here at DEL, we couldn’t help but be excited that local Seattle Times columnist Jerry Large shared the good news about the statewide Early Learning Plan with his thousands and thousands of regular readers.

You can check out his column “Getting kids off to good start” here, which ran in today’s paper.

The Early Learning Plan was released Sept. 1 after more than a year of work with partner agencies and stakeholders and feedback from Washington residents. It is our state’s roadmap for early learning.

We couldn’t have said it better than Mr. Large, who wrote:

“Washington state is putting what we know about building a strong foundation for children into practice in a more organized, coordinated way with a new early-education plan. The plan will get parents, day-care providers, educators and myriad social organizations talking to each other and working together.”

He further continues:

“All this is being done because brain-development research has made us increasingly aware of how important those early years are for children, and how important it is for the rest of us that children get on a good path early.”

You can see the plan and an executive summary at www.del.wa.gov/plan

The plan may be finished, but the work is just beginning. Keep watching for more updates!

Statewide toll-free number experiencing difficulties

2010-09-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) reports that its statewide toll-free number, 1-877-501-2233, is experiencing major technical difficulties. This is the phone number for clients to call about public assistance benefits, such as cash, food, medical and Working Connections Child Care subsidies.

Callers are reporting being dropped from the call before they hear menu options. A temporary fix is in place; however, the state is expecting very high call volumes during the Labor Day weekend. DSHS is encouraging customers to delay calling if possible or be prepared for long waits.

In Eastern Washington, callers are experiencing poor sound quality and disconnected calls. Please be prepared to share your phone number at the beginning of the call so DSHS staff can call you back.

DSHS is working to fix these issues as quickly as possible.

The Washington State Early Learning Plan is born!

2010-09-02T09:47:00.000-07:00

After more than a year of work and extensive outreach, the Washington State Early Learning Plan is now available. Visit www.del.wa.gov/plan to read the plan and learn more about our state’s 10-year roadmap for helping ensure all children start school ready to succeed.

We at DEL want to thank the Early Learning Advisory Council for leading this work, and to the staff at DEL, Thrive by Five Washington, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and other partners for their incredible work on making this plan a reality.

DEL, Thrive, OSPI and others worked hard to make sure Washington residents were able to weigh in on the plan as it was drafted—through online surveys, town hall meetings, meetings with key policymakers, ethnic groups and stakeholders, and other community gatherings. We are also proud that the plan was reviewed by a cultural competency expert to help ensure it reflects and honors the rich diversity of our state.

Keep watching for more information on how our state will begin implementing the plan—and how YOU can help!

Updated national standards to prevent childhood obesity in early learning settings

2010-08-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

Preventing Childhood Obesity in Early Care and Education Programs is a new set of national standards on best practices in nutrition, physical activity, and screen time for early care and education programs.

Here’s information about the publication from the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education:

"Preventing Childhood Obesity in Early Care and Education Programs contains practical intervention strategies to prevent excessive weight gain in young children. The standards detail opportunities for facilities and caregivers/teachers to work with families beginning on day one of an infant’s enrollment to prevent childhood obesity by promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

These updated standards will be a part of the comprehensive Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, Third Edition (CFOC, 3rd Ed.) to be released in 2011. The standards are for all types of early care and education settings – centers and family child care homes.

Areas of coverage:

General Nutrition Requirements
Meal and Snack Patterns
Requirements for Infants and Support Breastfeeding of Infants
Requirements for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Meal Service and Supervision
Food Brought from Home
Nutrition Education
Active Opportunities for Physical Activity
Outdoor and Indoor Play Time
Caregivers/Teachers’ Encouragement of Physical Activity
Screen Time Limits
Policies on Infant Feeding, Food and Nutrition Services, and Physical Activity

Caring for Our Children standards are developed through a public-private partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB)."

Working Connections Child Care 12-month eligibility form, information available

2010-08-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

Beginning September 1, families that have a child in Head Start, Early Head Start or an Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and are eligible for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) benefits may qualify for 12 months of eligibility before having to reapply for WCCC. These families must still meet all WCCC requirements during their eligibility period. You can learn more about 12-month eligibility here.

How do parents apply for WCCC and the 12-month eligibility?

The first step is to apply for WCCC. Call the DSHS Customer Service Call Center at 1.877.507.2233 or apply online. DSHS will determine your eligibility based on your completed application within 30 days. You can learn more about WCCC here.
You must also complete this verification form that states your child is enrolled in Head Start, Early Head Start or ECEAP when you apply or re-apply for WCCC benefits. This form is also available at local Head Start, Early Head Start or ECEAP programs, and at local CSO offices. DSHS needs the information on this form in order to verify your child’s enrollment in Head Start, Early Head Start or ECEAP before authorizing 12 months of eligibility.

Cuts to WorkFirst services ordered for rest of state fiscal year

2010-08-12T14:24:00.000-07:00

Today, Gov. Chris Gregoire announced cuts of $51 million to the WorkFirst program for the rest of state fiscal year 2011 (which ends June 30, 2011). WorkFirst is our state’s “welfare to work” program, which helps low-income families become self-sufficient through training and support services. WorkFirst includes the Working Connections Child Care program, which offers child care subsidies to low-income families who are working, looking for work or in job training.

Cuts to WCCC for the rest of this fiscal year are expected to save about $16.8 million and include:

Reducing WCCC eligibility to 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (a monthly income of less than $2,670 for a family of three). This will be effective October 1, and will be phased in as families using WCCC come up for reauthorization.
Requiring only one parent in two-parent families to participate in work activities to reduce child care costs for an expected 1,900 WorkFirst families.

These cuts are due to increased WorkFirst caseloads and a decrease in state revenue collection. Click here to read more about WCCC and other cuts to WorkFirst.

The Governor has challenged the five state agencies involved in WorkFirst—the Department of Social and Health Services, DEL, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, the Employment Security Department and the Higher Education Coordinating Board—to redesign the WorkFirst program to focus on cost-effective, sustainable, evidence-based best practices. That proposal will be delivered to the Governor this December.

Click here for more information on WCCC.

Give input on the draft Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals!

2010-08-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

Now is your chance to give input on a draft document that will define what early care and education professionals in our state need to know and be able to do to provide quality care and education. Click here to read the draft Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals and take a short survey. The survey is available until August 20.

The core competencies were developed by the Department of Early Learning in partnership with the Professional Development Consortium, at the direction of the Legislature. They include standards around eight areas:

• Child growth and development

• Curriculum and learning environment

• Ongoing measurement of child progress

• Family and community partnerships

• Health, safety and nutrition

• Interactions

• Program planning and development

• Professional development and leadership

Child care providers: New resources to help build children's early language/literacy skills!

2010-07-29T15:20:00.000-07:00

We were excited to see some new research-based resources for child care providers with easy ideas for supporting early language and literacy development. Both were issued this summer by the federal National Institute for Literacy.

First, the Make Time to Talk tip sheets have simple, fun ideas for center-based and family home child care providers to help build early language skills that last a lifetime. Among the tips:

• Two-way conversations are best. The child should be doing at least half the talking.

• Tell stories to the children and ask them to tell you stories about their families and lives.
• Act out stories with the children, re-using words from the book you read aloud with the children.
• Kneel or squat to be able to have eye contact with the child.

Second, Learning to Talk and Listen: An oral language resource for early childhood caregivers, is a short booklet with information about why adult-child conversations matter and how to talk with young children.

For more information on early literacy, visit http://www.nifl.gov/.

Early Learning Advisory Council recommends approval of Early Learning Plan

2010-07-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

During a special meeting on July 26, the state Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) reviewed the Early Learning Plan and recommended approval by the three partner agencies (Department of Early Learning, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and Thrive by Five Washington).

ELAC members—many of whom were closely involved with creating the plan—discussed changes made to the plan since it was first released in draft form on Dec. 1, 2009. Those changes were based on feedback from hundreds of Washington residents through public hearings, an online survey, and targeted outreach to hard-to-reach communities.

DEL, Thrive and OSPI also contracted with a national expert to review the plan and offer suggestions about how to ensure the plan is culturally competent and reflects the rich diversity of our state.

The adopted plan — along with a three-year action plan for beginning its implementation — will be available online at www.del.wa.gov/plan on Sept. 1. Hard copies will be printed this fall in partnership with The Boeing Company.

Be sure to check online Sept. 1 to see this roadmap for building a world-class early learning system that supports all children in Washington in growing up healthy and ready for school!

DEL assistant director speaks at congressional early learning briefing on Tuesday

2010-07-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, July 27, DEL Assistant Director for Outcomes & Accountability Bonnie Beukema will be part of a congressional briefing on strengthening state early learning systems. Click here to watch a webcast of the Strengthening State Systems of Early Care and Education briefing—moderated by Cornelia Grumman, executive director of the First Five Years Fund. The briefing is in Washington, D.C., and starts at 4 p.m. ET.

Bonnie will talk about Washington’s efforts to build an early learning system that prepares all children for school through high-quality early learning programs—and our focus on better data so that we know we’re supporting successful child outcomes.

Other panelists include Holly A. Robinson, commissioner of Bright from the Start at the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, and Anne Bryan, senior policy advisory to North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue on early childhood issues.

Be sure to tune in!

MERIT now available to search for STARS-approved trainings

2010-07-20T09:39:00.000-07:00

The new tool to search for State Training and Registry System (STARS)-approved trainings and trainers is now available for child care providers and other early learning professionals.

In April, DEL took the STARS database off-line to create a new, more robust tool. DEL is introducing the new tool, called the Managed Education Registry and Information Tool (MERIT), in phases.

Last month, approved trainers and training organizations were able to add and edit available early learning trainings. Beginning today, child care providers and other professionals can search for those trainings. To start, click “Search MERIT” in the upper tab.

Searching for trainings does not require a user name or password. In a future phase of MERIT, all early learning professionals will receive login information to enter information about their training history. At this time, only currently STARS-approved trainers or training organizations have user names. If you have questions or concerns, e-mail stars@del.wa.gov.

STARS forms are available on the bottom of the MERIT home page or at www.del.wa.gov/stars. Watch for more information about future phases of this new and exciting tool!

Reminder: Child care providers must report abuse and neglect

2010-07-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

This morning DEL is sending out a phone message reminder to all licensed child care providers that they and their staff members are mandated reporters. Mandated reporters must report suspected child abuse or neglect. This obligation is an important part of keeping all children in Washington safe and healthy.

Our partner agency, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), has collected valuable information about who is a mandatory reporter and resources to help them understand their role. Click here to check out the site.

To report, call 1-866-ENDHARM (1-866-363-4276), Washington State's toll-free hotline that will connect you directly to the appropriate local office. We at DEL appreciate the work you do.

DEL Director meets with NACCRRA Executive Director

2010-07-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

We had the pleasure this week of hosting the leader of the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies at the DEL state office in Lacey. NACCRRA is a national organization that works with more than 700 state and local child care resource and referral agencies in ensuring families have access to child care options in their community.

NACCRRA Executive Director Linda Smith met with DEL Director Bette Hyde and other members of the DEL team for a rich, wide-ranging discussion on early learning issues, including child care licensing, quality rating and improvement systems and military child care. We were happy to hear Linda’s thoughts on our own licensing rules, which NACCRRA has ranked among the top in the nation.

One of the most fascinating parts of the conversation was Linda’s thoughts on the importance of how we talk about early learning issues: Does the average person know what “quality” means? What does professional development for early learning professionals look like? Linda talked about how sharing just a few examples of what we mean can help paint the picture. For example:

“Child care quality child care facilities are safe and healthy places, such as those that have lots of age- and culture-appropriate books, parent involvement and time for children to play in and outside.”

“Professional development includes training in such areas as physical development of toddlers or how to use songs and music to support early literacy skills.”

Linda is in Washington for the NACCRRA Leadership and Management Institute in Seattle today. Our thanks to her for visiting DEL and sharing her knowledge, energy and ideas with us!

Seeds to Success: Stories from the field

2010-07-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month, DEL and Thrive by Five Washington began the second year of field testing Seeds to Success, our state’s quality rating and improvement system. This voluntary system is designed to support licensed child care providers in improving the quality of child care they offer children and families. The quality standards being measured in Seeds have been modified based on what we learned in the first year of the field test. Five communities – Thrive demonstration communities East Yakima and White Center; and Spokane, Clark and Kitsap counties – are participating in the pilot.

Check out the good things that are happening at two Seeds sites.

White Center:
One family home child care provider has worked with her Seeds to Success coach to involve families more in her child care program. Early in the Seeds program she hosted her first “Family Night,” which included information about her programming, a presentation by the children and a family/child mural painting activity. The success of family night prompted the provider to look for other opportunities to engage families. She created a monthly parent packet of resources related to her lesson plans, including vocabulary words in English and Spanish, lyrics for songs and poems, child goals and activity ideas for families to use at home. She set a goal to hold parent conferences for the first time and looked to her coach for ideas and support. Together they brainstormed the relevant topics to include, talked about how to bring up challenging situations and worked on incorporating information from child developmental observations into the conferences. The coach and provider role-played the conference experience to increase the provider’s confidence level.

Kitsap:
One program site is seeing the impact of Seeds to Success on all of their preschool classrooms. If one teacher receives training and coaching, she eagerly shares the information with her colleagues. And parents are noticing the enthusiasm! One parent commented to the child care director that interactions between staff and children had changed. What had happened? The director was able to share her center’s involvement with Seeds to Success and all that her staff had learned.

Visit www.del.wa.gov/seeds to see the updated Seeds quality standards and to learn more about the second year of the field test.

MERIT available for trainers and training organizations

2010-06-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

The Department of Early Learning (DEL) is excited to announce that trainers and training organizations are now able to use the new Managed Education and Registry Information Tool (MERIT).

MERIT replaces the State Training and Registry System (STARS) database as the place to house information on STARS-approved training, training organizations and early learning professionals. DEL took the STARS database offline on April 1 to create a stronger, more user-friendly tool.

Starting today, current STARS-approved trainers and training organizations can:

Add present and future training offers to MERIT; and
Create, modify and delete trainings from MERIT

To sign in to MERIT for the first time, trainers and organizations will need the username and temporary password that DEL sent you. If you had problems receiving this information, contact merit@del.wa.gov. Only current STARS-approved trainers and training organizations have access to MERIT at this time.

DEL hosted a webinar today to introduce trainers to the tool. Information will be made available after the training for those who missed the webinar at http://merit.del.wa.gov/.

Early learning professionals, including child care providers, will get access to MERIT at a later date to record training history and search available trainings. Child care providers must still follow licensing rules and take required STARS-approved trainings.

For STARS information, visit www.del.wa.gov/stars

DEL, OSPI announce WaKIDS pilot sites

2010-06-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

Incoming kindergarteners from Anacortes to Quincy will be part of the pilot of the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) during school year 2010-2011! Click to see a list of all participating school districts and schools and learn more about the pilot. Districts were notified earlier this week.

UPDATE (5:10 p.m. June 18): A little Friday afternoon brain fog caused us to post the applicant list, not the selected pilot site list. The current, final list is what's now available at the above link.

We are excited that so many school districts chose to apply. It shows the real and deep commitment in our state to our youngest learners. In the end, each of the 54 districts that applied are represented in the pilot. By being part of the pilot, districts have the opportunity to help inform the WaKIDS process. We are piloting WaKIDS to learn more about how best to support a smooth transition for children from the first five years of life into kindergarten and beyond!

The Department of Early Learning and Office of Superintendent chose the pilot participants using a sample plan to ensure the pilot represents the diversity of our state. DEL and OSPI are leading this work, in consultation with Thrive by Five Washington. Thrive, along with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, have contributed private funding to support the pilot.

You have until Friday to give input on the draft Early Learning Plan!

2010-06-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

This Friday, June 18, is the last day to share your thoughts on the draft Early Learning Plan. After that, the public comment period will close and all comments will be reviewed and considered for the plan. need convincing? Check out the video of Department of Early Learning Director Bette Hyde talking about the plan and why your voice needs to be heard!

The plan will be adopted this fall. Go to www.del.wa.gov/plan to read the draft and take a short survey.

Why should you share your input on the draft plan? Because this is the roadmap for building an early learning system in Washington in the coming years. It will affect children, families, and all those who care for children or work on issues related to early learning. DEL is leading the effort to create this plan, along with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Thrive by Five Washington, and other partners.

Child care centers to see fee increase on July 1

2010-06-14T14:36:00.000-07:00

Beginning July 1, the Legislature has directed DEL to increase the yearly licensing fee for centers and school-age centers to $100 for the first 12 children, plus $8 per child up to your licensed capacity.

This increase will go into the state’s general fund, and will not go directly to DEL. For more information and to view the emergency rules, visit the DEL Rules Under Development section.

DEL plans to adopt permanent rules for this rate change by late 2010. There will be future opportunities for public input.

For questions, e-mail rules@del.wa.gov

WaKIDS school districts to be announced next week!

2010-06-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

With more than 50 school districts applying for the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) pilot this fall, we need just a few more days to finalize the selection of participating districts.

The final application count represented 5,700 kindergarten students and 253 classrooms! The pilot will include 120 kindergarten classrooms and 3,000 incoming kindergarten students.

You can expect the list of WaKIDS pilot participants to be online early next week. In the meantime, visit www.del.wa.gov/wakids to learn more about this exciting work that will help us better support a smooth transition from early learning into the K-12 system for our youngest learners!

Add your voice to the “licensing reboot”

2010-06-10T17:20:00.000-07:00

This week licensed child care providers should be receiving a letter from DEL explaining a new project we’re calling the “licensing reboot.”

You can click to see the letter in English and Spanish here.

DEL Director Bette Hyde has spent much of the last year traveling around the state meeting with DEL licensing staff and with licensed providers. Some things are working very well in licensed child care, and some things can be improved. The “licensing reboot” is a simple but structured way for us to hear from providers and make improvements as needed.

Check out www.del.wa.gov/reboot to learn about the project, then take the survey in:

English
or
Spanish

The survey is optional and anonymous. We want to hear your voice!

ECEAP success stories: We love 'em!

2010-06-04T10:21:00.000-07:00

We hear so many wonderful stories about how a child has flourished in our Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), and are excited that this state-funded preschool program will be available to all eligible children by 2018, thanks to House Bill 2731 sponsored by Rep. Roger Goodman. Here’s a recent success story from an ECEAP site in southwest Washington about a 3-year-old boy:

The boy had been demonstrating angry and aggressive behaviors at home and in the community. Both his pediatrician and the worker at WIC had recommended mental health services for the child. He exhibited extreme anxiety and anger arriving at school, hitting mom, his brother and the teacher. For several months the child refused to extend himself in the environment—he would not grasp anything in his hand (cup, marker, toy, food, etc.). He would not talk or interact with anything or anyone.

The teachers invited him to participate at every opportunity but did not force interactions. The ECEAP site team quickly involved their mental health consultant and made an outside referral for therapy with a bilingual therapist (this child did not speak English). The family gets four hours of in-home support a week and weekly therapy sessions. Efforts to draw him out and to help him feel successful in the classroom were constantly evaluated by the mom and staff together and new strategies employed. In late winter he began to eat in class, to hold toys, and to participate in art projects. He then started to speak to another child in his native language and was observed smiling and delighting in the interactions of others in the class.

Photos taken at the end of the year show a smiling 4-year-old comfortably lying in the grass looking up at his peers. The team saw amazing social emotional development in the ECEAP class, and mom saw similar changes at home. Best of all: He will be able to return to ECEAP this next school year!

Districts eager to participate in kindergarten readiness pilot

2010-05-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

Great news! More than 50 school districts have applied to be part of the voluntary pilot of the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) for school year 2010-2011.

Applications were due May 27, and school districts selected for the pilot will be announced June 11. Nearly 50 school districts applied, representing about 230 classrooms and 5,200 students. The pilot will include 120 kindergarten classrooms and 3,000 incoming kindergarten students.

Visit www.del.wa.gov/wakids to see the latest on WaKids including: a video of a licensed child care provider talking about why WaKIDS matters for early learning professionals, and questions and answers about the pilot.

DEL and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, in consultation with Thrive by Five Washington, are leading this pilot. The 2009 Legislature funded the pilot, which requires a private funding match. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Thrive have awarded the state private matching funds.

Gov. Gregoire, DEL help launch “Developing Mind Project” at UW

2010-05-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

It’s called a megnetoencephalography machine (whew!)—but all you need to know is that it is here, and it signals a new era in child brain research. The Department of Early Learning (DEL) was proud to help host the unveiling of the “Developing Mind Project” at the University of Washington Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences this week. This project includes a one-ton machine that can safely look at the developing minds of children.

This imaging will help us better understand how and when children learn. The machine was installed at I-LABS through a mix of public and private funds (including $4 million in state funding through the state’s Life Sciences Discovery Fund).

“A big congratulations to the children of tomorrow and the parents of tomorrow, because that’s clearly what today is all about: The idea that we can unlock an amazing amount of research to assist parents and children so they can be all they want to be,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said at the unveiling. “I’m look forward to putting those discoveries to use on behalf of the children of Washington State and the children of the world.”

Click here to watch the Governor’s remarks and to take a video peek inside the MEG machine!

Photos are courtesy of UW’s Dr. Patricia Kuhl.

Extended Eligibility for Child Care Subsidies

2010-05-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

A new state law allows a 12-month eligibility period for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC). A family may qualify for Extended Eligibility starting August 15, 2010 if:

A child receives services from Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), a Head Start program, or an Early Head Start program; and
The family is eligible for WCCC.

More information will be available soon for child care providers and families to help them understand how the changes will affect them.

As part of the new changes, DEL also is proposing changes to our WCCC rules to line up with the new law. You can check out these changes on our website and see how you can offer input.

In Washington, the Working Connections Child Care program helps about 35,000 families a month. This program is critical to helping low-income families pay for the child care they need to work, look for work, or go to school. You can read a recent New York Times article about child care subsidies here.

DEL on TVW’s Inside Olympia

2010-05-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

Check out TVW’s Inside Olympia in which Austin Jenkins interviews Assistant Director for Outcomes and Accountability Bonnie Beukema. They cover preschool, child care subsidies and where early learning is headed in our state.

2010 market rate survey: What is it?

2010-05-20T17:12:00.000-07:00

The 2010 market rate survey (also sometimes called the “provider survey”) is now under way in Washington!

If you are a licensed child care provider, you may have gotten a letter in the mail this week about the survey. A letter was sent to all licensed centers and to a sample of family home providers. Please take the time to go online and take the survey. If you don’t, you may get a follow-up call asking you to take the survey via phone.

So what is the market rate survey? As our state’s lead agency for the federal Child Care and Development Fund grant, DEL must conduct a survey every two years. The data is used to set child care subsidy reimbursement rates, among other things. The survey asks questions about licensed child care providers’ rates, hours, enrollment, employees and salaries, and much more.

Learn more about DEL’s role as lead state agency for the Child Care and Development Fund by visiting the Government Relations section of our website.

This survey is important—it helps paint the picture of whether our state has an adequate supply of affordable, quality child care. If you are contacted to respond, please do!

DEL seeks input on school-age child care rules

2010-05-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

DEL is in the process of reviewing our rules related to school-age child care programs (for children ages 5 and older). If you are a school-age provider, we need your input!

Here’s how you can make sure your voice as a school-age provider is heard:

• Visit our DEL School-Age Rules page to learn how School’s Out Washington is facilitating a school-age rules rewrite group to make recommendations to DEL.

Also on that page, you can:

read a letter from our director, Bette Hyde, about this work.
read the current rules for school-age child care (Washington Administrative Code Chapter 170-151)
take the survey to tell us what you think about recommended changes and how they would impact you!

Your input matters. We have more than 540 licensed school-age facilities in our state, caring for up to 4,200 children. School-age care refers to all programs that operate before school, after school, and during the summer and holiday breaks.

Structured time in a school-age program can offer children opportunities to make friends, develop relationships with adult role models, and build self-esteem and conflict resolution skills.

Washington's state-funded preschool ranks high in quality again

2010-05-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), Washington's state-funded preschool program for low-income 3- and 4-year-olds, met 9 out of 10 quality benchmarks yet again this year in a national preschool report released today.

According to the National Institute for Early Education Research's "The State of Preschool 2009," ECEAP meets the benchmarks in:

Program standards
Staff-to-child ratio
Maximum classroom size
Assistant teacher degree requirements
Teacher specialized training
Meals
Monitoring
Screening/referral and support services
Teacher in-service

Washington does not meet NIEER's benchmark in teacher degree--ECEAP requires lead teachers to have at least an AA, while NIEER's benchmark calls for a BA for all lead teachers. Only two states (North Carolina and Alabama) met all 10 benchmarks, and only eight other states also met 9 out of 10.

We are proud of our state's high-quality preschool program! More than 8,000 children around the state are enrolled this school year. Thanks to Governor Chris Gregoire and the 2010 Legislature, even more children will have access to preschool in the coming years.

To read ECEAP's program standards, click here.
To learn more about ECEAP and whether your child might be eligible, click here.

Public forums provided valuable feedback on family home rules

2010-04-29T15:52:00.000-07:00

During the past three weeks, DEL staff members have visited eight cities throughout the state to collect comments on recommended changes to the licensed family home child care rules. To view the recommended draft rules, click here.

About 200 attendees total were at the eight meetings. We visited Tumwater, Vancouver, Everett, Seattle, Kent, Spokane, Pasco and Wenatchee.

“Some of the provider groups had been meeting prior to the forums to review and draft comments. Some were hearing the information for the first time,” said Judy Jaramillo, DEL policy analyst. “I was impressed with the passion that was expressed by the participants. We received some very valuable input and will continue to compile the comments as we move forward with the next draft.”

DEL is revising rules for licensed family home child care in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) chapter 170-296, using a unique process called “negotiated rule making.” Recommendations came from the Negotiated Rule Making Team, which included a large representation of child care providers, SEIU staff, DEL staff, Child Care Resource & Referral staff, provider advocates and parent advocates. For more information about the team and the process, visit our negotiated rule making web page.

The next steps will be for DEL to review all the comments, then write the next draft. For questions about the process, e-mail rules@del.wa.gov.

When the new WAC is adopted in December 2010 it will completely replace the current rules. Until the final draft is adopted, the current Family Home WAC is still in effect.

Thank you to everyone who participated and provided feedback during this important process!

Tribal Conference builds knowledge, partnerships in Tacoma

2010-04-20T16:56:00.000-07:00

About 180 people from tribal early learning programs around the state gathered on Friday and Saturday at the 2010 Tribal Early Care & Education Conference at Hotel Morano in Tacoma.

The event opened with a prayer and song from Connie McCloud of the Puyallup Tribe, followed by welcoming remarks from DEL Director Bette Hyde (see photo at right).

Hyde described the many state programs and initiatives that tribal representatives have provided feedback on and helped create, including the draft Early Learning Plan, the pilot Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) and the review of the Washington State Early Learning and Development Benchmarks.

“Our state efforts are better for the conversations with the tribes,” she said.

Keynote speaker Dr. Martin Brokenleg, of Reclaiming Youth International, had the audience both laughing and in tears with stories of children’s resiliency and uniqueness. His talk focused on four key areas that can help build strength of spirit in a child: a sense of belonging, generosity, belonging and mastery.

“Your students will forget what you say to them, but they won’t forget how you make them feel,” he said. Brokenleg encouraged providers to see the future possibilities all children have within themselves.

DEL sponsors this conference to build partnerships and provide learning opportunities for those who work for or are affiliated with a tribal early learning program. In break-out sessions, participants learned about creating a baby-friendly environment, fun kids’ activities, and adding song into their programs (see photo at left of presenter Lorraine Bayes) as well as other topics.

To learn more about ways DEL partners with Tribal Nations, visit our website.

DEL Parent Advisory Group: Informing early learning in Washington

2010-04-19T15:29:00.000-07:00

The DEL Parent Advisory Group (PAG) met April 15 and 16 to give DEL input on policies and programs. This enthusiastic group contains individuals from around the state who represent families who use state services such as child care subsidies and our free preschool program, as well as diverse family structures such as grandparents raising children, foster parents and blended families. Click to learn more about the group.

A highlight for parents was a great conversation about strengthening early learning and building strong local programs with DEL Director Bette Hyde and state Representative Ruth Kagi (see photo, above right).

At last week’s meeting, members also provided valuable input on recommended changes to the family home child care rules. The group discussed how a child care provider can support young children in getting their needs met, helping them learn to get along with others, and preparing them for success in school, including:

How family home child care settings can support diversity: family traditions shared in the family child care home, as well as books, toys and foods that represent our diverse society. Exposing kids to multiple languages is a plus, too!
How child care providers can use enrollment time to learn about the child and the family, including learning about the child’s unique characteristics, strengths and needs.
Outdoor environments, health procedures, emergency preparedness, overnight care and screen time in family home settings.

This valuable input will be used in developing the family home licensing rules. Everyone can provide input to these rules by visiting the Rules Comment Page between now and the end of April.

With the generous support of our private partner, Thrive by Five Washington, the parents participated in two action-packed days at the DEL state office in Lacey. We appreciate our PAG’s wisdom, insight and honesty!

Early learning fares well in tough session

2010-04-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

The Legislature adjourned on Monday night, after a special session in which they found a way to close a $2.8 billion revenue shortfall. That’s in addition to $9 billion in cuts already made to the 2009-2011 biennial budget.

As we expected, the budget is filled with tough choices that will affect real people. In the end, though, our Governor and Legislature demonstrated that our state’s youngest learners are still a top priority.

The supplemental operating budget is a big document, and we are still analyzing it and determining how it affects early learning funding. An initial overview of the impacts from the budget on Department of Early Learning (DEL) programs:

Transfer of the Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program from the Department of Social and Health Services to DEL effective July 1, and renames it Early Support for Infants and Toddlers. More about this exciting move soon!
Reduction of 29 slots in our Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP).
Funding for the Washington State Child Care Resource & Referral Network in FY 2011 is reduced ($212,000 savings).
Savings in the Working Connections Child Care subsidy program:

Allowing single parents with children under the age of 6 to meet 20 hours per week of work participation hours rather than the current 32 hours per week ($11 million savings).
Asking DEL to reduce and transfer staff and enter into a memorandum of agreement with DSHS to provide WCCC policy operations support. The budget language still indicates that DEL is the lead agency for and recipient of the federal Child Care and Development Fund grant.

Funds for home visiting services are transferred from the Council for Children and Families to DEL. DEL will contract with Thrive by Five Washington to deliver these services ($300,000 transfer). An additional $200,000 is provided for Thrive in the home visiting services account to be administered by DEL.
New funding and staff support for DEL and OSPI to implement SSB 6759, requiring DEL and OSPI to convene a technical working group to develop a comprehensive plan for a voluntary program of early learning, is provided to DEL.
New funding is provided for DEL to contract with Reach Out and Read for early literacy programs ($150,000).
Child care licensing:

DEL is authorized to increase child care center licensure fees in FY 2011.
DEL is required to submit a plan for improving child care licensing to the Legislature by January 15, 2011 (no additional funds provided).

Along with many state agencies, DEL is also facing administrative reductions.

You can find more information by visiting the LEAP (Legislative Evaluation & Accountability Program Committee) Web site.

Washington one of six states chosen for NGA policy academy

2010-04-14T13:08:00.000-07:00

Exciting news for the Department of Early Learning and for families in our state: Our state is one of only six in the nation selected for an upcoming “policy academy” with the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices!

So what does this mean? These six states (us, along with Oregon, Kansas, Louisiana, Rhode Island and Vermont) will receive interactive support and guidance from national experts to help us with a key early learning initiative important to our state. For Washington, that means our continued efforts on Seeds to Success, our quality rating and improvement system. The purpose of a QRIS is to help improve quality in child care and give families information about how to determine quality.

This support from the NGA will help us as we create a clear action plan for the next phase of Seeds to Success testing, so that we can create a QRIS that is sustainable, and supports child care providers in ensuring quality child care environments for children. In addition to DEL, the Washington team includes representatives from Thrive by Five Washington, educational service districts, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the University of Washington.

Read the NGA press release announcing the six states that will be part of the Ready States: A Project to Develop Key Components of State Early Childhood Infrastructure policy academy.