Seattle Child Care Staff to Receive Up to $2.8M in Workforce Support

Applications for City of Seattle Child Care Retention Payments Open February 3rd

SEATTLE (January 13) - The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is proud to announce it will provide up to $2.8 million to support child care workers. DEEL is partnering with BrightSpark Early Learning Services to distribute the one-time payments allocated from the City's 2024 budget. This initiative aims to support the essential child care workforce that provides high-quality early learning experiences for Seattle children. Eligible child care providers located in Seattle can apply for this funding opportunity on behalf of their employees starting Monday, February 3, 2025.

Seattle's child care workers are predominantly comprised of women of color who continue to earn among the lowest wages in the state - approximately $11 less than the hourly mean pay for Seattle area workers, according to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The City's payments are intended to recognize the important role of child care workers and incentivize worker retention.

"Child care workers are the backbone of our communities and the reason many parents can go to work knowing their child is in a safe, nurturing environment," said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. "This year's retention payments will build upon our ongoing investments for child care workers who have remained dedicated to their roles and continue to set our youngest learners up for success in academics and beyond. They are an essential workforce and part of ourOne Seattle vision to build an equitable, thriving city for all families."

Retention Payment Eligibility, Application, and Awards

Staff working at family child care and center-based programs - licensed by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) - within Seattle city limits are eligible to receive payments. Applications must be completed by the employer or in the case of Family Child Care programs, must be completed by the licensee. The application period opens Monday, February 3, 2025, and closes Friday, February 28, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Applications will be available in Amharic, Chinese (Simplified), English, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

The amount per worker will be determined based on the number of eligible staff identified by applicants. BrightSpark Early Learning Services will distribute funds to providers on behalf of the City of Seattle once applications are processed. Payments will be distributed by each child care program to all eligible staff via the program's payroll system. More information will be available at DEEL's Funding Opportunities webpage once applications are open.

Child Care Workforce Investments Background

Since the launch of the Child Care Worker Retention Payment grants in 2020, the City has allocated $11 million to support child care workers. In 2023 alone, over 3,700 Seattle child care staff received up to $1,380, helping to stabilize the workforce. DEEL and BrightSpark anticipate payments will be in the hands of staff this Spring.

What People Are Saying

"These payments are designed to reward commitment in a sector where turnover can be high, and the need for experienced, passionate educators is critical," says Dr. Dwane Chappelle, DEEL Director. "We thank our child care workers for their unwavering service to Seattle's children."

"At BrightSpark, we are honored to partner with the Department of Education and Early Learning in distributing these crucial funds. This initiative is not just an investment in our child care workers; it is an investment in the future of Seattle's children and the prosperity of our community. Together, we are committed to uplifting those who dedicate their lives to nurturing our youngest citizens, recognizing their invaluable contribution to a thriving, equitable society." - Courtney Nolen-Viducich, BrightSpark Program Officer

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