DEL News

April 24, 2008
Governor Gregoire declares May 9 child care provider appreciation day

OLYMPIA – To honor the work done by Washington State’s more than 7,400 licensed child care providers, Governor Chris Gregoire has proclaimed May 9, 2008, as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day in our state.

The Department of Early Learning (DEL), which oversees licensed child care in Washington, is sending a copy of the proclamation to the state’s more than 7,400 licensed providers along with a letter of appreciation from DEL Director Jone Bosworth.

“I truly appreciate the energy, dedication and creativity licensed child care providers offer to children in their care,” said Bosworth. “Licensed providers are vital in helping create a lifelong love of learning in Washington children, and May 9 is the day to celebrate that.”

The Washington State Child Care Resource & Referral Network (R&R Network), DEL and several other community partners are celebrating Child Care Provider Appreciation Day with events around the state. To view a list of events, visit the R&R Network’s Web site at www.childcarenet.org.

To view Gov. Gregoire’s proclamation in English and Spanish, visit www.del.wa.gov/publications/communications.

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The Washington State Department of Early Learning is a Governor’s Cabinet-level state agency created in 2006 to bring heightened visibility and focus to early learning and help all Washington children reach their full potential. DEL oversees the state-funded comprehensive preschool program, child care licensing, and other initiatives and programs to support parents as children’s first and most important teachers.

The Washington State Child Care Resource & Referral Network is a statewide network of programs that help families find child care and offer technical assistance and training to licensed child care providers.


For more information:

DEL Communications Manager Amy Blondin
360.725.4919 (office)
360.878.0628 (cell)
amy.blondin@del.wa.gov