Washington state currently provides a number of high-quality early learning programs that prevent child abuse and neglect, and prepare children for kindergarten. Gov. Jay Inslee has made expansion of early learning an ongoing priority and worked with the Legislature to nearly double the number of children in early learning programs to more than 15,000 since 2013.
“The most important investment we can make is in our children,” Inslee said. We know that the benefits from early learning programs extend throughout a child’s life.”
For the 2019–21 biennium, Inslee is proposing $173 million to provide universal newborn screening assessments and home visiting services, expand and improve preschool opportunities, create a statewide referral system to connect families with early learning services and build more early learning facilities.
“I am proud that my budget invests in early learning services that will ensure that all children receive the support necessary to enter kindergarten prepared and well positioned for success in school and life,” Inslee said.
Read more on the governor's Medium page.