Child care providers and early childhood educators play a very important role in the lives of children. Research shows that high-quality early learning programs are key to ensuring children start school ready to succeed and with better cognitive, language, emotional and social skills as they grow older.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) works to ensure all child care, early learning, and school-age programs are safe and healthy environments to enrich the lives of young children. Washington state requires that almost all child care and early learning providers and programs are licensed when children 0-12 are cared for outside of their home, unless exempt, apply to them under RCW 43.216.010.
Licensing Support
Each early learning and school age program has a DCYF licensor assigned to ensure compliance with the Foundational Quality Standards for Early Learning Programs (Chapter 110-300 WAC), Licensed School Age Child Care Standards (Chapter 110-301 WAC), and Foundational Quality Standards for Outdoor Nature-Based Child Care (Chapter 110-302 WAC).
DCYF partners with providers to ensure high-quality programs that keep kids safe and help them thrive. Our licensors also provide technical support to help providers reach their full potential. They regularly visit and inspect programs to make sure they're meeting our standards and keeping kids safe.
Find or contact your local early earning and child care licensing office