We are born wired to learn.

The flowers are blooming, the grass needs to be cut. No doubt about it, summer is almost here, which means school's just about out, too.

Democrats who control the Washington Legislature are moving to pass a bill that would unionize about 12,000 child care workers.

A legislative proposal discussed Friday would give a swath of the child-care industry the power to unite to negotiate with the governor over compensation.

Gov. Chris Gregoire is asking the Legislature for $435,000 to add five employees to the Department of Early Learning who will be charged with improving enforcement of child care regulations.

The $516 billion sweeping government spending bill before Congress provides $129 million for child care centers at 16 military installations, including locations where there have been heavy deployments of troops to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The state's history of inconsistent enforcement of child care regulations - which was exposed by a Columbian investigation of licensed facilities in Clark County - is disappointing but not surprising, Gov. Chris Gregoire said Tuesday.

Washington's effort to reform child care begins with a quality rating system.