FINAL BILL REPORT

2SHB 2867

C 232 L 10

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Promoting early learning.

Sponsors: House Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representatives Kagi, Sells, White, Hunt, Chase, Kessler, Morrell, Van De Wege, Kenney and Hasegawa; by request of Governor Gregoire).

House Committee on Early Learning & Children's Services

House Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

Background:

Department of Early Learning.

Created in 2006, the Department of Early Learning (DEL) is charged with implementing state early learning policy and coordinating, consolidating, and integrating child care and early learning programs. One of the purposes underlying the creation of the DEL is to promote linkages and alignment between early learning programs and elementary schools. The DEL has approached a number of its initiatives over the past three years with the ultimate goal of improving school readiness for Washington's children.

Thrive by Five Washington.

Thrive by Five Washington (Thrive) is a nongovernmental private-public partnership created in 2006 to mobilize public and private partners to advance development and learning of children from birth to age 5.

Early Learning Advisory Council.

In 2007 the Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) was created by statute to advise the DEL on statewide early learning needs and progress. The ELAC was directed to work in conjunction with the DEL to develop a statewide early learning plan.

Summary:

The Legislature finds that research demonstrates the connection between early childhood development and later academic and social functioning, and that there is a shortage of high-quality services and programs for children age birth to 3 and their parents and caregivers.

The DEL in collaboration with Thrive and the ELAC will develop a comprehensive birth-to-three plan offering education and support through a continuum of options. Birth-to-three programs may include: home visiting; quality incentives for infant and toddler child care subsidies; quality improvements for family home and center-based child care programs serving infants and toddlers; professional development; early literacy programs; and informal supports for family, friend, and neighbor caregivers.

The DEL will report to the Legislature by December 1, 2010, with the birth-to-three plan and recommended appropriation levels to implement the plan. The plan itself will be prepared within existing resources.

Votes on Final Passage: