*Result*: Early Care and Education Access and Living Wage Implementation Plan

Title:
Early Care and Education Access and Living Wage Implementation Plan
Language:
English
Authors:
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
Source:
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. 2025.
Availability:
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. e-mail: communications@dcyf.wa.gov; Web site: https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/
Peer Reviewed:
N
Page Count:
52
Publication Date:
2025
Document Type:
*Report* Reports - Descriptive
Education Level:
Early Childhood Education
Preschool Education
Elementary Education
Kindergarten
Primary Education
Descriptors:
Early Childhood Education, Child Care, Access to Education, State Programs, Preschool Education, Kindergarten, Early Childhood Teachers, Educational Finance, State Aid, Educational Equity (Finance), Compensation (Remuneration), Wages, Teacher Salaries, Equal Education, Transitional Programs, Parent Financial Contribution, Eligibility, Income, Educational Planning, Labor Needs, Labor Conditions, Labor Force Development, Data Use, Inclusion, Educational Quality, Educational Facilities, State Legislation
Geographic Terms:
Washington
Entry Date:
2026
Accession Number:
ED677813
Database:
ERIC

*Further Information*

*The Department of Children Youth and Families' (DCYF) vision for early learning is an integrated, mixed-delivery system of affordable, high-quality early care and education for ALL of Washington's children, to support child outcomes, school readiness, and family well-being, regardless of identity or income. The mixed-delivery system includes options like child care, Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), Head Start, Transition to Kindergarten, developmental preschool, school-age care, and more. The department works to achieve that vision through the pursuit of three key strategic outcomes and priorities: (1) 80 percent of Washington children ready for kindergarten; (2) High-quality early care and education available and affordable to all in Washington; and (3) Eliminate racial disproportionality and advancing racial equity in early education. The Early Care and Education (ECE) Access and Living Wage Implementation Plan supports these goals and strategies, building on previous efforts including the Early Learning Coordination Plan, the Child Care Collaborative Task Force, the Fair Start for Kids Act (FSKA) and ECEAP entitlement. The Proviso (ESSB 5187 Sec. 229(31)) directs DCYF to submit an Implementation Plan to expand access to Washington's mixed delivery system with family financial contributions capped at no more than 7 percent of family income (an amount considered sustainable for families) and living wages and benefits provided for the child care workforce. The Implementation Plan outlines a comprehensive set of policy recommendations to implement a universally accessible, publicly funded child care system in 10 years. The 10-year phase-in timeframe is scalable and has the potential to be implemented more quickly or more slowly based upon decisions by the State Legislature and responsiveness to the state's evolving fiscal environment. This plan articulates the north star goal of affordable access to child care for all families and living wages for providers, and specific strategies for reaching it, as resources become available.*

*ERIC*