Washington’s Early Care and Education Substitute Pool is designed to support licensed Family Home and Child Care Center providers in accessing substitutes for program coverage. The substitute pool program helps to recruit and train substitutes to become qualified and available across the state. The substitute pool is implemented by The Imagine Institute.
Access the Substitute Pool
All licensed providers can access Washington’s substitute pool. Substitutes are available to licensed providers at no cost to them if they meet eligibility requirements. Providers also have the option to privately pay for substitutes. DCYF supports the cost of substitute coverage as funding is available.
Eligibility
Licensed family home child care providers who have served at least one state subsidized child in the last 12 months can access substitute pool hours. Number of hours available will be listed when substitute time is requested. Additional shifts can be accessed through the private pay option by completing this form.
Licensed family home child care providers who are participating in Early Achievers and have not served a subsidized child in the last 12 months can access a paid substitute to cover shifts while staff are focusing on Early Achievers participation and progress. Additional shifts can be accessed through the private pay option by completing this form.
Licensed child care centers participating in Early Achievers can access a paid substitute to cover shifts while staff are focusing on Early Achievers participation and progress. Additional shifts can be accessed through the private pay option by completing this form.
Request a Substitute
Licensed early learning providers can request a substitute through the Imagine Institute or using the Substitute Pool Software.
If you have never used a substitute provided through The Imagine Institute, get started by:
- Find out if your program has access to DCYF provided substitute coverage at The Imagine Institute, Find a Substitute
- Watch the facility orientation
- Find a substitute
Become a Substitute
Training is available at no cost to individuals interested in becoming a substitute. To get started, visit MERIT to make an account and mark your interest in participating in the substitute pool on your professional record.
Get more information about becoming a substitute at The Imagine Institute, Become a Substitute.
Questions?
Contact The Imagine Institute:
- Website: imaginewa.org/subpool/
- Phone: 206-492-5249
- Email: subpool@imaginewa.org