SEATTLE — Surrounded by small children, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a comprehensive new early learning bill into law on Monday.
The Early Start Act, House Bill 1491, makes the state’s quality rating system mandatory for licensed childcare facilities that receiving state dollars. But it also provides money for training of teachers, coaching and technical assistance to help these childcare centers reach a higher rating. Participation by centers and daycare homes that do not receive state dollars continues to be voluntary.
The new law also changes the way the state distributes its childcare subsidies, allowing kids to stay in their subsidized program for 12 months even if their family’s financial situation changes.
The governor commended both houses of the Legislature for the bipartisan way they worked to pass this bill.
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