The Department of Early Learning (DEL) places a high value on families and the relationship between parent and child. Parents and families need to know that their children are in a safe, hazard free environment where they can grow and learn. To help ensure Washington's children are safe, DEL is partnering with parents, child care providers, and other early childhood specialists to write rules to help protect and nurture our children.
The rules we write together are designed to help ensure caregivers are trained and knowledgeable, the location is free of avoidable hazards, good physical health is supported, and those working with our children have had a background check. Rules for child care are only written after input from many interested parties, including parents.
DEL strives for rules that are balanced and fair, and will move us toward the goal of providing a safe, healthy, nurturing place for our children.
In 2007, the Washington State Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5828, which required the Department of Early Learning (DEL) to develop a plan to review its child care licensing regulations.
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The Department of Early Learning (DEL) prepares a Semi-Annual Rules Agenda each January and July to let the public know about current and planned DEL rule making activity.
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