Become an ECEAP Provider

DCYF is expanding ECEAP across Washington over the next several years through a new partnership with the Ballmer Group. This means that more qualified ECEAP providers are needed, especially in underserved communities.

DCYF encourages early care and education providers to consider adding ECEAP to their programs. ECEAP can help support eligible children and families. ECEAP might be a good fit for your early learning program if you:

  • Believe all children deserve access to high-quality early learning.
  • Are committed to building strong relationships with families.
  • Have eligible children and families in your community that could benefit from ECEAP services.

What is ECEAP?

The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is Washington state’s comprehensive pre-K program. ECEAP serves eligible 3- and 4-year-olds and offers part-day, school-day and working-day models of programming.  

ECEAP provides high-quality early learning and support for children and families. Services include: 

  • Preschool education
  • Family support
  • Health, mental health, and nutritional services

Frequently Asked Questions

Both public and private organizations can provide ECEAP. These include but are not limited to: 

  • School districts
  • Educational service districts
  • Community and technical colleges
  • Local governments
  • Tribes and Tribal-serving organizations
  • Head Start Grantees
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Licensed family child care homes
  • Licensed child care centers
  • Licensed-exempt early learning programs

See RCW 43.216.515 for more information.

All providers must have a Washington state business license. They must also follow related Tribal, federal, state, and local rules.

ECEAP is provided by contractors and subcontractors:

  • ECEAP Contractors manage the ECEAP contract with DCYF. They monitor ECEAP Performance Standards and ECEAP service delivery requirements at their own sites and/or at sites operated by subcontractors. DCYF strongly encourages organizations that want to become ECEAP contractors to have the staff, systems, and resources needed to support at least 75 high-quality pre-K slots. 
  • ECEAP Subcontractors provide some or all ECEAP services at their own sites. They work with an ECEAP contractor. DCYF strongly encourages programs that serve fewer than 75 slots, or programs that want to provide only part of ECEAP services, to consider becoming subcontractors.

Providers can participate in ECEAP as a contractor or subcontractor. Both provide ECEAP services to eligible children and families. Their roles are different.

ECEAP Contractors 

Contractors receive funding directly from DCYF to provide ECEAP services. Contractors may provide direct services at their own sites or work with ECEAP subcontractors.

Contractors also have administrative responsibilities. These include:

  • Managing finances, staff, and data
  • Making sure direct service providers and subcontractors meet program requirements
  • Providing staff training and supporting continuous quality improvement
  • Communicating and taking part in ongoing monitoring with DCYF

Organizations interested in becoming an ECEAP Contractor apply to DCYF for funding through a competitive application process. This process usually opens once a year. 

ECEAP Subcontractors

Subcontractors are organizations or individuals who receive funding from an ECEAP contractor. They provide some or all ECEAP services under a contract or interagency agreement with the contractor. 

Organizations and individuals interested in becoming an ECEAP subcontractor work with an ECEAP contractor. Each contractor has its own application process and timeline for adding new providers. 

DCYF contracts with organizations to provide a set number and type of ECEAP slots. For example, a contractor may receive funding to serve children in 180 school-ay ECEAP slots. 

ECEAP funding supports all required ECEAP services, including:

  • High-quality preschool instruction
  • Family support services 
  • Health and developmental screenings
  • Nutrition services
  • Staff training and administration
  • Program monitoring 

Contractors may provide ECEAP comprehensive services directly or work with providers who provide ECEAP services as subcontractors.

  • Contractors are paid directly by DCYF. 
  • Subcontractors are paid through a negotiated agreement with their ECEAP contractor.

ECEAP funding works differently from Working Connections Child Care (WCCC). ECEAP funding is based on the number of contracted slots.

If you become an ECEAP contractor:

  • ECEAP contractors submit monthly invoices to DCYF. They are reimbursed for services provided and paid based on the number of contracted slots and the ECEAP model they provide. 
  • Slot rates are set by the state Legislature. Rates for School Day and Working Day slots vary by region.
  • Contractors use this funding to make sure all parts of ECEAP comprehensive services are provided to enrolled children and families. This includes services provided at subcontracted sites.

If you become an ECEAP subcontractor:

  • An ECEAP contractor passes part of its funding to their subcontractors. The amount depends on which ECEAP services each organization provides. 
  • The contractor and subcontractor agree on the funding through their contract. DCYF is not part of these agreements. 

ECEAP Class Models

ECEAP services are provided through the following class models and schedules: 

Part DaySchool DayWorking Day
Minimum of 3 hours per day5.5 to 6.5 hours per day10 hours per day
30 Weeks per school yearAt least 4 days per week5 days per week
360 hours per school year1,000 per school year2,000 per school year

Yes. ECEAP can operate on its own or in the same classroom as other early learning programs, including: 

  • Licensed child care
  • Private-pay tuition
  • WCCC
  • Head Start
  • Transition to Kindergarten (TK)
  • Developmental Preschool

ECEAP works to serve eligible children and families where they need services. DCYF encourages programs to work together to support inclusive early learning. 

Some important things to know:

  • Licensed child care providers that offer Part-Day (PD) or School-Day (SD) ECEAP and are authorized to care for children who qualify for WCCC can also claim subsidy payments for children approved for subsidy. Programs can also extend the day by providing ECEAP and subsidized child care at the same location when children qualify for both programs. See Working Connections Child Care and ECEAP.
  • Head Start and TK can be provided in the same classroom as ECEAP. However, a child cannot be enrolled in more than one of these programs at the same time (PAO-38).

Each program has its own rules for using funding when programs share a classroom. For more information, see:

Providing ECEAP in a classroom with other funding sources takes planning and coordination. However, mixed-program classrooms can be a cost-effective way to provide early learning services, promote socioeconomic integration, and support family choice.

Each year, DCYF publishes the ECEAP Pre-K Saturation Study. The study looks at the need for preschool and the number of publicly funded preschool slots available across Washington. 

The study estimates the number of income-eligible 3- and 4-year-old children in each school district area. It compares that number with the number of publicly funded preschool slots available. 

DCYF uses the Saturation Study to help identify where more ECEAP slots are needed. DCYF also considers: 

  • ECEAP enrollment and waitlist data
  • Regional community needs assessments, including housing and birth trends 
  • Coordinated Recruitment and Enrollment (CRE) data 

Programs can also use the DCYF Early Learning Dashboards to learn about early learning needs in their communities.

Other resources include Service Area Agreements and the Early Learning Facilities (ELF) Grant.

Children may be eligible for ECEAP if they: 

  • Are at least 3 years old by August 31 of the school year
  • Are not yet old enough for kindergarten
  • Meet one of more of the following criteria: 

Being eligible for ECEAP does not guarantee enrollment. ECEAP providers and contractors must prioritize eligible children for enrollment according to ECEAP requirements (ECEAP Performance Standards PAO-48). 

Children enrolled in ECEAP

  • Must be available to attend during ECEAP hours
  • May not be enrolled in both ECEAP and Head Start at the same time
  • May not be enrolled in both ECEAP and TK at the same time
  • May not be enrolled in more than one ECEAP program at the same time

ECEAP is a comprehensive early learning program that supports eligible children and their families. Offering ECEAP takes more than opening a preschool classroom. 

Under the ECEAP Performance Standards and Contract requirements, contractors:

  • Provide a center-based pre-K program that combines comprehensive education, family support, and health services.
  • Support the whole child and help children succeed in school and life.
  • Build on the strengths of parents and families. ECEAP recognizes parents as their child’s first and most important teacher. Families also provide safety, care, and stability for their children.
  • Respect and honor each family’s culture and language. Services should reflect each family’s culture and language. Families should know that ECEAP values their child.

The ECEAP Performance Standards and the ECEAP Contract list the minimum requirements for ECEAP.

Links to additional information and resources:

If you are interested in becoming an ECEAP provider, start by joining one of our monthly Question & Answer sessions offered on the third Wednesday of every month (see side bar for meeting links).

You can also watch ECEAP 101. This 15-minute online presentation will help you:

  • Understand what ECEAP is.
  • Learn what ECEAP providers are expected to do.
  • Decide if your program is ready to provide ECEAP services.
  • Understand the difference between an ECEAP contractor and subcontractor.

After you complete ECEAP 101, you can take the ECEAP Foundations course. This course builds on what you learned in ECEAP 101. It will help you decide if your program is ready to become an ECEAP provider. 

Becoming an ECEAP provider takes planning, qualified staff, strong business practices, and the ability to meet program requirements. It is normal to need time to prepare. Many successful providers start by learning about ECEAP, building partnerships, and strengthening their programs over time. 

If you are not ready to become an ECEAP provider yet, you can prepare by: 

  • Learning about ECEAP requirements.
  • Building partnerships with experienced ECEAP contractors.
  • Strengthening your staffing, leadership, and financial systems.
  • Expanding your early learning program and enrollment of eligible children.
  • Take part in training and technical assistance opportunities. 

To get ECEAP updates and learn about future expansion opportunities, you can: