Early Learning Plan

On Dec. 1, 2009, the Department of Early Learning (DEL), Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and Thrive by Five Washington (Thrive) delivered to Governor Chris Gregoire a draft 5- to 10-year Early Learning Plan and recommendations for “near-term” actions to implement the plan. Click to read the press release.

Click here to read the draft plan. Click here to read the recommendations for first-phase implementation priorities. Click here to share your input for consideration as the plan is finalized.

Throughout summer and fall 2009, many partners, stakeholders and community members worked to develop this draft statewide early learning plan to help ensure all children in Washington have a strong start in life.

DEL and our Early Learning Advisory Council, OSPI, and Thrive led this effort, guided by this vision statement:

“In Washington state, we work together so that all children start life with a solid foundation for success, based on strong families and a world-class early learning system for all children prenatal through grade 3. Accessible, accountable, and developmentally and culturally appropriate, our system partners with families to ensure that every child is healthy, capable, and confident in school and in life.”

The draft plan focuses on building a statewide early learning system with outcomes, strategies and indicators grouped in five areas:

Ready and successful children
Ready and successful parents, families, and caregivers
Ready and successful early learning professionals
Ready and successful schools
Ready and successful system and communities

The draft plan and recommendations reflect extensive public input, including:

Community meetings in Seattle, Tacoma, Bremerton, Bellingham, Kirkland, Spokane and a statewide meeting using the K-20 network.
Regular input from a group of about 300 “key communicators” who represent their communities: parents, legislators and legislative staff, DEL staff, school districts, public health, early care and education professionals, Tribal Nations, public libraries, and many others.
Two online surveys available to the public.

From now through February 2010, DEL, OSPI and Thrive will work to gather input on the full draft plan, which will be finalized in March 2010. If you would like to organize a community meeting to gather local feedback about the draft plan, please e-mail communications@del.wa.gov for more information.

Click here to read background documents about the creation of the draft Early Learning Plan.