On Monday Governor Inslee signed the Early Start Act, making official the hard work of early learning advocates and state legislators. This historic investment in child care quality continues a successful pilot program to improve child care quality, especially for our most vulnerable learners, those from very low-income families.

Research clearly shows that quality early childhood education enhances brain development and gives children the best chance to succeed in K-12 education. The Early Start Act ensures that children with child care subsidies will attend child care programs that deliver quality care. It funds provider training, and funds 12-month authorization of subsidies, so that as families incomes fluctuate their child care remains stable.

Thanks and kudos to our King County legislators and our advocacy partners the Children’s Alliance, Thrive Washington, Partners for our Children, Fight Crime Invest in Kids, and all the great organizations that worked diligently to achieve this historic success for kids.