Washington State Added 42 Preschool Program Sites
The state expanded its Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program to serve 2,400 additional children.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Child Care
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The Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families has added 42 new sites to its Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program. This expansion aims to provide free preschool access to 2,400 more children from low-income households during the 2026-2027 school year.
Why it matters
By increasing the number of available classrooms, the initiative directly addresses barriers to early education for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds. The program is supported by a public-private partnership between the state and the Ballmer Group.
The expansion introduces 42 new locations across Washington, increasing total capacity by 2,400 spots for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds. These sites include facilities like Isom Elementary, Main Street Campus, Mountain View Elementary, and Blaine Primary School.
The players
Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families
This state agency is responsible for overseeing child welfare and early learning programs throughout Washington.
Ballmer Group
This philanthropic organization provides funding and support for community-based initiatives aimed at improving economic mobility.
The details
The initiative targets regions including Whatcom and Skagit counties to provide academic foundations for children from low-income families. While this expansion adds significant capacity, the state faces ongoing challenges as some former program locations previously returned funds due to workforce shortages and operational difficulties.
Timeline
The new preschool sites operate throughout the 2026-2027 school year.
Culture Shift
The expansion reflects a growing emphasis on publicly funded early education as a key component of social mobility. This initiative follows the framework of the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program to increase public access to foundational learning.
Families in areas like Lynden, Ferndale, and Blaine may now have access to free preschool spots that were previously unavailable. Parents can utilize these sites to secure early education for their 3- and 4-year-olds, potentially reducing out-of-pocket childcare expenses.
The takeaway
Increased access to state-funded preschool can significantly alleviate financial burdens for low-income families while preparing children for kindergarten. Residents should monitor local school district announcements to determine if their specific neighborhood facility is participating in this latest expansion.
Further reading
For more information on state resources, visit Child Care.
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Do you support using public-private partnerships to expand preschool access in your local schools?
