Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is partnering with BrightSpark Early Learning Services to distribute up to $2.5 million in Seattle Childcare Workforce Payments funded by the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) levy. Payments will support staff retention for our critical, yet underpaid, child care workforce. Applications open in early September.
The payment application will be structured such that child care centers or Family Child Care licensees can apply and note the number of eligible staff to be funded. Awarded programs will pass along the funds to their employees based on criteria set forth in the application materials, to be released in early September. To be eligible, child care programs must operate within Seattle boundaries (not simply have a Seattle mailing address). Staff are not required to live in Seattle.
View the recorded information sessions in the following languages:
See FAQs about the grant and application process here.
For questions, contact grants@brightspark.org, or call BrightSpark’s provider line at 1-800-446-1114, and select option 2.
For more information, visit the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning’s website.