ECEAP Outcomes Report: Kindergarten Readiness and Educational Successes

Children in an ECEAP program in West Olympia eating.

The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is Washington's pre-Kindergarten program that prepares 3- and 4-year-old children from low-income families for success in school and in life. The Department of Early Learning (DEL) oversees this program.

The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is Washington's pre-Kindergarten program that prepares 3- and 4-year-old children from low-income families for success in school and in life. The Department of Early Learning (DEL) oversees this program.

"ECEAP is an exceptional program for our children," said DEL Director, Ross Hunter. "The evidence is in the data. ECEAP children see a significant increase in vital language, cognitive, social-emotional and mathematics skills--bolstering the probability that 90 percent of children in Washington are Kindergarten-ready by 2020."

Director Hunter released information regarding DEL's Kindergarten-readiness goal in the previously released Early Start Act report (available online at del.wa.gov/EarlyStartAct).

ECEAP is aligned with nationally researched programs that have shown exceptional returns on investment and increased Kindergarten readiness in enrollees.

The newly released, ECEAP outcomes report showcases:

Children in West Olympia ECEAP Program listening.

• Child development and learning outcomes,
• Characteristics of children in ECEAP,
• Kindergarten readiness data and more.

Using the Kindergarten readiness benchmark in GOLDTM by Teaching Strategies, data shows that few children start their Pre-K year in ECEAP with kindergarten entry skills. At the end of one year of ECEAP, the percentage of ECEAP children with kindergarten entry skills increases significantly. For children with two years of ECEAP, the results are remarkably higher.

The 2014-15 school year was an expansion year for ECEAP with:

• A total of 47 ECEAP contracts with educational service districts, school districts, community colleges, local governments and nonprofits; eight contractors were new to ECEAP this year.
• A total of 336 ECEAP sites across Washington, including 65 new locations.
• A total of 10,091 slots for children, which was an increase of 1,350.

To check out the ECEAP outcomes report, go to DEL's homepage at del.wa.gov. To learn more about ECEAP, visit del.wa.gov and search "ECEAP."