The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has a goal to ensure 90 percent of children in Washington State are ready for kindergarten by 2020 with race and income eliminated as predictors of their readiness.
The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is a large part of DCYF’s strategy to accomplishing this goal of kindergarten readiness, as it prepares 3- and 4-year-olds from low-income families for success in school and life.
On April 17, the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) released its 2018 State of Preschool annual report, which shows that Washington continues to expand access to preschool while also increasing enrollment and state funding.
Data from the report shows that Washington’s investments in preschool increased more than 10 percent while enrollment also increased. Washington increased funding for state preschool and enrolled more 3- and 4-year-olds compared to the previous year, but access remained below the national average, with just 9 percent of 4-year-olds and 5 percent of 3-year-olds attending state programs.
“This report illustrates the progress of our state’s investments in providing access to high-quality early learning,” said Ross Hunter, Secretary of DCYF. “We have a high-quality program in Washington, but need to keep expanding access to young children to meet our legal requirement to serve all eligible children.”