Washington

Overview of Pre-K Program-Washington Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP)

• Program is primarily open to four-year-old children from families at or below 110% FPL, but some three-year-old children may enroll based on certain risk factors.
• 90% of the children in ECEAP must come from families meeting the income requirement.
• Services are offered in a variety of settings including colleges, public schools, and non-profit organizations.
• ECEAP is funded by the legislature but the amount is discretionary as the statute makes clear that preschool is not part of the basic program of education which must be fully funded.
• Public and private organizations receive funding directly from the state through a competitive grant process.  They may then provide services or contract with other organizations to provide services.
• Program is overseen by the Washington Department of Early Learning.

Brief History of Washington’s Pre-K Program

• 1985 Washington Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program is launched to reform early childhood education in the state.
• 2006 legislature establishes the Washington Department of Early Learning, which will oversee ECEAP, child care and Head Start.
• 2007 Funding to ECEAP is increased allowing an additional 2,250 more children to participate.
• 2009 Program serves 8,120 children.

Evaluations of Washington’s Pre-K Program

Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) Preliminary Report, 2010.
ECEAP: An Investment in Children and Families Years 9 and 10 Longitudinal Study Report, 1998.
ECEAP Longitudinal Study and Annual Report, 1992.
ECEAP Longitudinal Study and Annual Report, 1991.
Tracking Success for Children and Families: ECEAP Longitudinal Study Year 2, 1990.

Program Website

Washington State Department of Early Learning ECEAP and Head Start Webpage

Resource List

NIEER 2009 Yearbook Washington Profile
Pre-K Now Washington Profile
Education Justice.org Washington Profile

 

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