DEL News

April 30, 2008
DEL launches updated Licensed Child Care Information System

OLYMPIA – The Department of Early Learning (DEL) today launched an updated, more comprehensive online tool for parents and others seeking information about Washington’s 7,400 licensed child care providers.

Among the new features on DEL’s revamped Licensed Child Care Information System (LCCIS) is access to compliance agreements—plans of action created by DEL child care licensing staff and licensed child care providers to help ensure providers offer a safe, healthy environment for children.

“This updated tool helps families access more information about licensed child care providers when trying to find the right child care arrangement for their children,” said DEL Director Jone Bosworth. “We made the decision to post compliance agreements online as an important step toward providing thorough information about licensed child care settings. We also believe the public deserves to see what we’re doing every day to help ensure children are safe and healthy in licensed care.”

DEL will post compliance agreements resulting from complaints that are found to be valid (proven) in licensed family child care homes or child care centers. This will include compliance agreements beginning July 1, 2006—the date DEL came into existence.

DEL already has posted compliance agreements for its Southwest Service Area, which includes Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Pacific, Skamania, Thurston and Wahkiakum counties. Compliance agreements for DEL’s Eastern Service Area will go online later this spring, followed by the Northwest Service Area in mid-summer.

Other enhancements to the LCCIS include:

  • A more user-friendly design that includes more information about the purpose of LCCIS and about child care licensing requirements.
  • Revised examples of what valid licensing complaints could look like. These examples are based on input from a March 15, 2008, forum attended by more than 130 licensed child care providers and community members around the state.
  • A way to provide comments and input on LCCIS, which DEL will review quarterly to make improvements as needed.

LCCIS can be found online at https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/f2ws03esaapps/lccis/lccis.aspx.

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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. For more information, visit the DEL Web site at http://www.del.wa.gov.

For more information:

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