KCELC Catalyst Workgroup
King County Early Learning Coalition and WA STEM are partnering together to create a group that believes that every child and family should have access to the resources and support they need for a brighter future, and we invite you to join us in this mission.
Purpose & Outcome
Our mission is to ensure that high-quality early learning and care opportunities are accessible to all children in King County. We understand that these opportunities are not only crucial for children’s development and kindergarten readiness but also play a significant role in supporting family well-being. By joining us, you will become a part of a movement dedicated to breaking down barriers and disparities in early learning and care.
When you join our initiative, you will contribute to the following outcomes:
- Increased access to high-quality child care for immigrant, black, indigenous, and families of color.
- Stronger relationships and shared goals among early learning system partners to enhance access to early learning and care.
- Children and families benefit from culturally sustaining, high-quality child care that meets their needs.
Background:
What Success Looks Like: Our investment aims to achieve the following by the end of 2024:
- Alignment of regional early learning leaders around equity-focused regional strategic plans.
- Informed early care and education strategic plans that consider the specific needs of various populations.
- Engagement of the business community as advocates for increasing access to high-quality early learning and care.
- Enhanced understanding of the early learning system among regional K-12 systems and schools.
Expected Activities and Outputs: Over 18 months, our partners will co-create a regional plan to increase equitable access to high-quality early care and education. The plan will be informed by data and community input, with a focus on three key populations. We aim to have a cross-sector strategic plan that includes agreed-upon goals, partners, roles, timeline, estimated costs, and funding strategies. Additionally, we plan to identify and work with six Family-Friendly Workplace Business Champions to advocate for policies that increase access to child care.
Partnership: Successful work plans will involve close partnerships with various stakeholders, including Early Learning Coalitions, STEM Networks, Education Service Districts, Child Care Aware of Washington, culturally specific support organizations, parents’ representatives, child care providers, and immigrant-focused organizations.
Why You Should Join
- Equity-Centered Approach: We are committed to centering equity in our approach. We work in partnership with underserved communities, including low-income families, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, immigrant, and families of children with disabilities, to ensure that our solutions are inclusive and just.
- Strong Partnerships: Our initiative is backed by WA STEM Network partners and Washington Communities for Children Regional Early Learning Coalitions. These partnerships are vital in driving progress in our Early Learning program.
- Community Engagement: We strive to engage families, providers, advocates, and community partners to be a part of this process to uplift and highlight all involved in early learning and care to build a strong community and workforce.
Be a member
We invite you to be a part of this impactful initiative that can make a real difference in the lives of children and families in King County. Your involvement can contribute to a brighter future for our communities.
If you’re interested in joining us or would like more information, click the link below or don’t hesitate to reach out to our email at kcelc@childcare.org.