The Department of Early Learning (DEL) licenses more than 7,400 child care centers and family home child care providers within Washington. Licensed child care providers follow minimum licensing requirements set by the state to ensure children in licensed care are in safe, healthy, and nurturing places.
DEL licensors work to help licensed child care providers offer the best programs possible. DEL licensors provide orientation workshops, ensure provider application packets are complete, process background checks, inspect and monitor facilities, and take corrective action as necessary. Working with licensed providers, licensors identify strengths in the child care setting, and offer information and resources when something needs to be changed.
DEL is updating its rules on suspected unlicensed child care, and on new maximum civil penalties (fines) that may be imposed for violating licensing rules.
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Non-expiring licenses
Beginning July 22, 2011, Washington moved to a nonexpiring license, per
Senate Bill 5625, passed during the 2011 legislative session. Child care homes must be monitored every 18 months and child care centers are monitored every year.
All licensees must submit the following documents 30 days prior to the anniversary date of the license:
Read more about what this change means for you as a licensed child care provider.
At the Department of Early Learning (DEL), we understand that as a licensed child care provider you not only care for children, but for your business too!
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The Washington State Child Care Facility Fund was created to help increase the availability of quality, affordable, convenient child care for working families by providing loans and grants to licensed child care centers, or centers in the process of becoming licensed.
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Several state child care subsidy programs help eligible families with children pay child care costs.
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