BILL REQ. #:  H-3686.1 

Read first time 01/17/12.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & Human Services.

     AN ACT Relating to improving quality in early learning programs; amending RCW 43.215.100; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that all parents need better information when choosing quality child care and that licensed child care providers need adequate support, training, and incentives to improve the quality of child care they offer. The legislature further finds that high-quality child care helps prepare children for success in school, and that Washington state needs a common understanding of what elements make up high-quality child care programs.
     The legislature further finds that a two-year field test of a voluntary quality rating and improvement system has prepared our state to begin statewide implementation of such a system, to the extent funds are available.
     The legislature further finds that a voluntary quality rating and improvement system is an important strategy to align early learning programs, including licensed child care programs, the federal head start program, and the state prekindergarten program.

Sec. 2   RCW 43.215.100 and 2007 c 394 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department, in collaboration with community and statewide partners, shall implement a voluntary quality rating and improvement system applicable to licensed or certified child care centers and homes and early education programs. The purpose of the voluntary quality rating and improvement system is to give parents clear and easily accessible information about the quality of child care and early education programs, support improvement in early learning programs throughout the state, increase the readiness of children for school, and close the disparity in access to quality care. Before final implementation of the voluntary quality rating and improvement system, the department shall report to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature. Nothing in this section changes the department's responsibility to collectively bargain over mandatory subjects.)) (1) To the extent funds are available for this purpose, the department of early learning shall implement a voluntary quality rating and improvement system for licensed and certified child care centers and homes and other early learning programs as determined by the department.
     (2) The voluntary quality rating and improvement system must focus on participation of all programs with targeted strategies for increasing participation and quality of programs serving low-income children.
     (3) The purposes of the voluntary quality rating and improvement system are to:
     (a) Increase the readiness of children for school;
     (b) Give families clear and easily accessible information about the quality of early learning and school-age programs;
     (c) Support improvement in child care throughout the state above the minimum safety and health standards required for child care licensure;
     (d) Promote access to quality early learning programs for all children; and
     (e) Promote and support professional development and training for early learning and school-age care professionals.
     (4) Upon full implementation of the voluntary quality rating and improvement system, the department shall, to the extent funds are available:
     (a) Assign ratings to participating early learning programs based on research-based voluntary quality rating and improvement program standards, which will include:
     (i) Child outcomes;
     (ii) Facility curriculum and learning environment;
     (iii) Professional development and training; and
     (iv) Family engagement and partnership;
     (b) In support of high quality child care and success in school for children, the department shall partner with community-based organizations, higher education, and other key stakeholders to provide, to the extent funds are available:
     (i) Supports and incentives to voluntary quality rating and improvement system participants including, but not limited to, highly trained coaches with expertise in early childhood development, professional development, training and facility improvement grants, in partnership with the state child care resource and referral agency, consistent with its responsibilities under RCW 43.215.545, or other appropriate entities;
     (ii) Professional development, training, and higher education opportunities, including scholarships, for participating program staff and directors linked to a career pathway in the field of early childhood education;
     (iii) Supports that expand family engagement and understanding of quality early childhood education in ways that are inclusive and respectful of the diversity of families and children with special needs;
     (iv) Incentives for early learning professionals for the attainment of training and education; and
     (v) Increased child care assistance reimbursement rates and payments that reflect the cost of quality programs for participants including compensation for staff in participating programs, and promote affordability of high-quality early learning programs for all families;
     (c) Evaluate the effectiveness of the quality rating and improvement system every three years, and make the evaluation report publicly available;
     (d) By December 2015, make recommendations to the legislature about adding additional incentives to support compensation increases based on facility rating. The recommendations must recognize the role of appropriate compensation in supporting education and retention and promoting the affordability of high-quality early learning programs for all families;
     (e) In consultation with constituents, develop a plan for full inclusion of licensed and certified school-age programs serving children ages five through twelve years in the voluntary quality rating and improvement system; and
     (f) Report program ratings on a publicly accessible web site and partner with the child care resource and referral agency or other entities to expand parent awareness regarding the voluntary quality rating and improvement system and its potential to improve child care quality and help parents make child care decisions that meet family needs and support the school readiness of children.
     (5) Nothing in this section changes the department's responsibility to collectively bargain over mandatory subjects.