Governor Gregoire Announces Grants to Washington Child Care Facilities

For Immediate Release: June 21, 2006

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today announced that Washington is helping provide quality care for working families by awarding grants to seven child care facilities. The Child Care Facility Fund advisory committee approved $230,000 in new low interest loans and grants that will create 124 new child care slots and 17 full-time and 13 part-time jobs.

�People are beginning to understand the critical link between early childhood education and success in school and life,� said Governor Chris Gregoire. �There is a fundamental need to provide our children with a quality early education. Programs like the Child Care Facility Fund support early education in Washington and emphasize developmentally appropriate, affordable child care.�

Private investments were combined with the state funds for a total of $491,656 in awards. The funded projects include:

• $6,300 grant for Daffodil Valley Daycare in Sumner. The grants will be used for educational supplies and equipment for a new child care operation to serve the employees of Daffodil Valley Elementary and the Sumner School District;
  
• $100,000 loan and a $25,000 grant for Gingerbread House Children�s Center in Pomeroy. The only licensed center in the community, the grants will be used to purchase a building and for health and safety related equipment and supplies;
  
• $25,000 grant for the new Harmony Early Childhood Education Center in Renton. The grants will be used for health and safety-related supplies and equipment;
  
• $20,000 grant for Kid�s B.A.S.E., a popular and well respected before and after school program in Enumclaw. The grants will be used for a relocation and expansion project;
  
• $25,000 loan and a $10,000 grant for Lots of Tender Loving Care Child Care in Olympia. Formerly known as the Capital Campus Child Care Center, the grants will be used for supplies and equipment to meet heath and safety requirements;
  
• $25,000 grant for Magic Lantern Montessori in Seattle. The grants will be used for a required fire suppressant and alarm system at a new location in Seattle�s Vietnamese Presbyterian Church; and
  
• $25,000 Grant for Vision House Children�s Village Child Care in Renton, a non-profit organization whose primary goal is to support the homeless. The grants will be used for a commercial kitchen upgrade, educational supplies and materials for a parent resource center.
  

The Washington Child Care Facility Fund program increases the quality and capacity of child care in Washington. The program was created in 1989 by the Legislature with $1 million in federal money to help create employer-supported childcare. The Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) manages the Fund, with administrative assistance and funding for grants provided by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Division of Child Care and Early Learning, soon to become the state�s new Department of Early Learning.

�Child care is an important part of our social and economic infrastructure,� said Juli Wilkerson, CTED Director. �That�s why CTED has a fund to provide loans and grants, with assistance from DSHS, to support programs like these that make our communities and families stronger.�

Information about child care center loans and grants, including eligibility guidelines, deadlines and applications are available online at http://www.cted.wa.gov/ccff.


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