Earlier this month, rumors began to circulate that funding for programs like Washington’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) would be cut due to the state’s multi-billion dollar projected deficit for the 2025-27 biennium.
Then, last week, President Donald Trump sent ECEAP and Washington Head Start programs into chaos when he abruptly decided to “pause” payments on federally funded grants and programs. While the blowback from states, schools, universities, cities, early learning providers, child welfare advocates, and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Bothell) caused Trump to rescind the order by the end of the week, parents and early learning providers are on edge, worried about the future of state-funded preschools.
Many of those parents, advocates, and preschool staff will roll into Olympia this week to rally to demand that lawmakers look at the evidence: ECEAP helps disadvantaged children get to kindergarten fully ready and prepared to learn.
On Thursday, Feb. 6, at 1:30 p.m., hundreds of parents with young children enrolled in the state-funded ECEAP preschool programs will take to the halls of the legislature to push lawmakers to keep the programs funded. They say the math is simple.
“It’s a two-step solution,” said Joel Ryan, the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP (WSA) executive director. “Step one, do not balance the budget on the backs of little kids. Step two, raise taxes on the wealthy to help close the budget gap.”
“For the past year, WSA has been clear that we need to boost the pay of ECEAP teachers and staff this session, or we will continue to see enrollment in ECEAP decline further as providers struggle to recruit and retain staff,” said Ryan. “We are seeking an 18% cost per child increase for the school day model, and an 11% cost per child for the part day model. We also have been clear that the only way to close the budget gap is through progressive revenue.”
Interested in joining parents on the steps of the state capitol? Email sandy@wsaheadstarteceap.com.
Read more:
On Politics: News that impacts Washington families
The push for higher pay, more support for WA child care providers
Inslee’s 2025 budget proposal offers hope for child care and early learning programs