DEL News

Washington’s state-funded preschool program makes strides in quality

OLYMPIA – Washington’s state-funded preschool has made significant improvements in the quality of programs provided to children and families, meeting nine out of 10 quality standard benchmarks as designated by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER).

NIEER today issued its 2007 The State of Preschool survey. In it, the nonpartisan organization based at Rutgers University ranked all 50 states on the percentage of children served in state-funded preschool in each state, spending per child by the state, and how many of the NIEER benchmarks the state program met. Washington is one of only eight states to meet nine of the benchmarks. North Carolina and Alabama met all 10.

Washington’s state-funded preschool program, the Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP), received a six out of 10 ranking in 2006 from NIEER. Since then, new ECEAP performance standards have been rolled out, increasing the number of training hours required for teachers, reducing the number of children per classroom, and aligning the ECEAP standards with the Washington State Early Learning and Development Benchmarks.

“Not only was Washington one of the first states to have a state-funded preschool program, we also offer a comprehensive program that serves many of our children who are most at-risk of starting kindergarten not ready,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire. “Helping prepare children for success in school and life is one of the smartest investments we can make as a state.”

“Anyone who’s spent time in an ECEAP classroom knows the wonderful things that happen there for children and families,” said Department of Early Learning (DEL) Deputy Director Dr. Amie Lapp Payne. “These programs support not just children but the whole family in healthy family development.”

In 2007, the Washington State Legislature and Gregoire approved a historic funding increase for ECEAP that meant 2,250 more families would benefit from ECEAP in the 2007-2009 budget biennium. ECEAP providers also received a rate increase, which they used for professional development, increased classroom hours and family support, and staff salaries and benefits. The $104 million program is the single largest investment for the Department of Early Learning.

Created in 1985, ECEAP serves primarily 4-year-olds and their families with incomes at or below 110 percent of the federal poverty level by offering education, health, nutrition and family support services. ECEAP is one of the few state-funded preschool programs that also provides health and family support services. DEL contracts with public and private entities, who deliver ECEAP services in local communities.

To read the NIEER survey results, go to http://nieer.org/.

For more information:

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