Governor Gregoire Announces Grants to Develop, Expand Washington Child Care Facilities

For Immediate Release: April 6, 2007

Projects in Auburn, Suquamish, Tumwater and Othello receive support

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today announced that Washington is to helping provide quality care for working families through grants to four childcare facilities. The Child Care Facility Fund advisory committee approved $188,000 in new low interest loans and grants that will help to create 96 new childcare slots and 14 full-time and 6 part-time jobs.

�We know there is a critical link between early childhood education and success in school and life,� said Governor Gregoire. �There is a fundamental need to provide children with access to quality early education. These grants and loans support early education in Washington and emphasize developmentally appropriate, affordable child care.�

�Quality child care and early education make a difference for children trying to achieve social stability and economic success in a competitive world,� said Juli Wilkerson, Director of the Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED). �These are also critical components of Governor Gregoire�s goals to help children start off as lifelong learners. That�s why CTED, in cooperation with the Department of Early Learning, supports an exciting program like the Child Care Facility Fund.�

Total project costs are estimated to be $4.8 million. The Child Care Facility Fund contributed:

• $23,000 grant for Tender Years Academy Center in Auburn. The grant will be used for a major expansion, including the development of a new toddler and preschool-age outdoor play environment.
  
• $15,000 grant for Serendipity Children�s Center of Tumwater. The grant will be used to upgrade some of its food preparation facilities and to purchase new playground equipment.
  
• $25,000 grant for Suquamish Tribe�s Marion Forsman-Boushie Early Learning Center in Suquamish. The grant will be used for the creation of an environmentally and culturally sensitive outdoor play area. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is providing major support for the $4.1 million project.
  
• $25,000 grant and $100,000 loan for Children�s Garden Child Care Center in Othello. The loan will be used for the purchase and renovation of a building for a new center. The grant will be used for necessary health and safety-related equipment and supplies.

The Washington Child Care Facility Fund program increases the quality and capacity of licensed childcare in Washington. The program was created in 1989 by the Legislature with $1 million in federal funds to help create employer-supported childcare. CTED manages the loan fund with program assistance and funding for grants provided by the Department of Early Learning.

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