Early Childhood Focus

New Group Working to Increase Access to Early Education

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:51:38 PST

We are born wired to learn.

By age 3, our brains have one trillion synapses � more than we�ll have in adulthood. By age 6, our brains are 95 percent the size of mom�s and dad�s.

Safe Kids: Finding The Right Fit For Child Care

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:07:30 PST

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.

Unions' Win Streak in Legislature is Broken

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:07:31 PST

After years of success at passing laws that allowed tens of thousands of low-wage, service-sector workers to unionize, labor groups hit a wall � or at least a speed bump � this year in the Legislature.

Child Care Legislation Would Unionize Workers

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:32:59 PST

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

Child Care Industry Seeks to Unite

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:42:10 PST

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.

Gregoire Wants Child Care Enforcers

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:05:14 PST

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.

Military Families Get Child Care Help in Spending Bill

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:33:11 PST

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.

Gregoire addresses child care controversy

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:54:08 PST

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.

Reform depends on overcoming economics of child care

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:25:45 PST

Washington's effort to reform child care begins with a quality rating system. This month, the Department of Early Learning selected five child care facilities to help develop the voluntary program by July 2008 and then test it.

Statistics don't tell story of struggling families

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 11:32:49 PST