Early Learning Facilities Program.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) administers the Early Learning Facilities (ELF) program, which provides grants and loans to eligible organizations to plan, renovate, purchase, and construct early learning facilities.  Eligible organizations include providers of Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) contractors, developers of housing and community facilities, community and technical colleges, educational service districts, local governments, federally recognized tribes, and religiously affiliated entities.  In the 2023-25 biennium, grants and loans are limited to the following amounts: 

• $21,605 for facility predesign, feasibility planning, and project development;
• $216,052 for minor renovation or repairs of existing early learning facilities; and
• $2.5 million to create, purchase, or expand early learning facilities.

School districts may also receive grants or loans to purchase, construct, or renovate early learning classrooms up to $1 million.

Generally, state funding for capital projects is to be disbursed in proportion to nonstate matching funds.  For the last two fiscal biennia, state capital budgets have authorized early learning facilities collocated with affordable or supporting housing developments to receive reimbursement for state ELF awards regardless of the proportionate share of nonstate funding. 

The ELF program  is funded from the Ruth LeCocq Kagi Early Learning Facilities Revolving Account and the Ruth LeCocq Kagi Early Learning Facilities Development Account.

Early Learning Facilities Program.

ELF program grant or loan limits are removed effective July 1, 2025.  Grant or loan awards for ELF construction, renovation, purchase, or repair grants are prioritized to facilities that are ready for construction.  Translation services are added as an eligible administrative cost.  ELF program facilities collocated with housing developments are allowed to receive state funding for up to 90 percent of the project cost, regardless of the proportionate match amount.  The department may adopt rules, instead of must adopt rules, to implement the ELF program.

A severability clause is added.

(In support) As the child care and early learning demands grow in the state, revenue streams are needed to build facilities to meet the demand.  The ELF program is targeted to the ECEAP and the WCCC program.  The intent is not to create competition between early learning and K-12, but instead to integrate and braid educational outcomes.  The ELF program was established in 2017 to address the child care crisis.  Since its inception, the program has created or maintained over 17,000 early learning slots in both urban and rural communities.  The legislature has committed to serving all eligible ECEAP children by 2027 and facilities are needed to meet that goal.  The child care industry supports all other industries in the state; if child care isn?t working for families, families can?t work for Washington.  Even with consistent appropriations from the legislature, the need outweighs the resources.  The bill removes the award caps and makes the minor renovation grant program permanent.  Early learning facilities collocated with affordable housing development is a growing sector that help create a vibrant economy, stable families and well-prepared children.  The technical change in how collocated facilities access ELF funding will save thousands of dollars in loan interest costs.  This will be comparable to the Housing Trust Fund program, which allows developers to access funding up front.  It is difficult for child care providers to access private lending, because they do not have large profit margins.  The $1 million ELF grant award wasn't enough to complete the construction project and there is a need for a larger grant amount, particularly in larger projects.  High quality, early education results in higher rates of high school and college graduation.  A dedicated revenue source will assist in the construction of more high quality, early learning facilities.

(Other) The program is worthwhile, but the bill redirects funds from school capital programs that need a consistent funding source.  The lack of child care for employees is one of the top ten challenges facing employers.  Rural and urban areas lack access to high quality, child care.  The removal of the ELF award cap will improve access.  However, a stable, reliable funding source is needed.

(Opposed) Investments in early learning provide educational benefits and promote the healthy development of a child?s social and emotional needs.  The bill would provide increased access to early learning to the detriment to K-12 students and teachers.  The School Construction Assistance Program provides a third of capital resources to serve K-12 students and provides zero resources to districts that are unable to pass a bond or levy.  The majority of schools are not prepared for future seismic events.  Many schools suffer from health issues, such as lead contamination, mold and other hazards.  The legislature should provide sufficient capital funding to K-12 schools.

(In support) Representative Lisa Callan, prime sponsor; Genevieve Stokes, Child Care Aware of Washington; Ruth Kagi; Kerra Bower, Little Scholars Development Center and Raze Development; Melissa Denlinger, Happy Feet Academy; Joel Ing, Edge Developers; and Susan Yang, Denise Louie Education Center.