Commerce supports child care with more than $7 million for 64 early learning centers

Grants will modernize or renovate early childhood education facilities in 16 counties

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced more than $7 million in grants to 64 early childhood education providers across the state. The grants provide licensed child care facilities with financial assistance for minor renovations to improve health and safety, such as upgrading playground equipment, plumbing, fencing, HVAC upgrades and lighting systems.

“These grants support critical facilities that give parents choice to meet their family's needs and ensure greater access and availability of high-quality child care,” said Commerce Director Mike Fong. “We know that child care is a barrier to finding work for families, and we can improve economic opportunity for Washington's families by ensuring children have a place to thrive.”

View the full summary of the 2024 ELF Minor Renovation Awards (Box PDF).

The Harvard Park Learning Center North project in Spokane received 2021-23 ELF funding for minor renovations. The renovations to improve health and safety include an open floor plan, updated flooring, and updated sinks and countertops.

The Commerce Early Learning Facilities Program received 179 applications totaling over $21 million. Because the applications more than tripled the available funds, Commerce, in collaboration with the Department of Children, Youth and Families, evaluated key project criteria such as the number of child care spaces available for low-income families, the location of the project compared to other early learning facilities, and projects located in rural or low-income areas, to name a few.

“Investing in licensed child care providers means increased access to high-quality early learning programs for families across the state,” said Ross Hunter, Secretary of DCYF. “I am pleased that the Department of Children, Youth and Families and the Department of Commerce continue to support and maintain access to child care, which promotes school readiness, provides families with secure employment, strengthens local economies and strengthens communities.”

The Early Learning Facilities Program, administered by Commerce, has awarded more than $180 million to create more than 12,500 child care spaces statewide. ELF was created in 2017 to create more early education classrooms and ensure all children are prepared for kindergarten. The ELF grant program funds new construction, renovation, and acquisition projects that increase or maintain early education capacity in home-based facilities and child care centers, with a focus on child care deserts and children from low-income households. Additional funding is not currently available for minor renovations and may only be re-appropriated if the Legislature approves them.

To learn more about this program and to sign up for a mailing list with updates and future funding opportunities, please visit Commerce's ELF website.