Kids' potential, our purpose
Every day we are honored to take action that inspires the world to discover, love and nurture the greatness in all children.
What we do
We at the Department of Early Learning (DEL) strive to help create safe, healthy, nurturing learning experiences for all Washington children. Our work focuses on the earliest years in children’s homes, child care, school programs and communities. We offer information and resources for children's first and most important teachers—parents—as well as others who care for and teach young children. Learn more...
How do I find out about...
- Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge
- New rules for licensed family home child care providers
- A child care provider’s licensing history (Child Care Check)
- Reporting possible child care subsidy fraud
- Choosing child care or preschool
- Concerns about child development (birth to 3)
- ECEAP and Head Start in my community
- Getting help paying for child care
- Getting licensed to be a child care provider
- Product safety notices
- MERIT
DEL Blog
- 2012 regular legislative session wrap-up: How did early learning fare? 3/8/12
- The 60-day 2012 legislative session will end today, and several important early learning bills are heading to Gov. Chris Gregoire for her signature. The Legislature does not appear likely to pass a supplemental operating budget before the session ends (no later than midnight tonight). Read more >
In the News
- March DEL Update newsletter
- Child Care Check changes give families more information about licensed child care providers
- Gregoire applauds award of Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge grant
- DEL files updated family home child care licensing rules
- >> Read all news stories...
Upcoming Events
- Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP Winter Association Meeting & Advocacy Day
March 6, 2012 - Public forum on changes to school-age child care rules
March 15, 16, 26 & 27, 2012 - National Poison Prevention Week
March 18-24, 2012 - Healthy Child Care America Partnership: An Introduction to Caring for our Children Webinar
March 21, 2012 - >> Go to all events...
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- DEL Listserv