WSR 25-15-045
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES
[Filed July 9, 2025, 4:51 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 110-300 WAC, Foundational quality standards for early learning programs; chapter 110-301 WAC, Foundational quality standards for school-age programs; and chapter 110-302 WAC, Foundational quality standards for outdoor nature-based child care; and other related rules.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter
43.216 RCW, E2SHB 1648, and SSB 5545.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The licensing division is revising existing rules and creating new rules to clarify confusion and eliminate unnecessary tasks for both licensing staff and the child care provider communities serviced by the department of children, youth, and families. Planned revisions include, but are not limited to:
| |
| • | New and revised definitions. |
| • | Changing references from "outdoor nature-based" programs to "early learning" programs. |
| • | Clarifying language for exit doors and pathways, nonprescription medication, immunization, tribal child care, and traditional foods, etc. |
| • | Information about working with the department of ecology arsenic and lead soil contamination. |
| • | Additions regarding providers who are not offering care and what to do with their licenses. |
| • | Revisions based on E2SHB 1648, relating to child care provider qualifications. |
| • | Revisions based on SSB 5545, relating to modifying provisions regarding family home providers overseen and certified by a federal military service. |
Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making; and collaborative.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Brett Skinner, P.O. Box 9809, Vancouver, WA 98666, phone 360-601-0885, email brett.skinner@dcyf.wa.gov, website www.dcyf.wa.gov; or Amy Emerson, 1500 Jefferson Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, phone 360-972-5385, email amy.emerson@dcyf.w.gov [amy.emerson@dcyf.wa.gov], website www.dcyf.wa.gov.
July 9, 2025
Brenda Villarreal
Rules Coordinator