Governor Ferguson, DCYF announce 42 new early education sites, serving 2,400 additional children this school year

Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program offers free preschool and family support for low-income 3- and 4-year-olds

OLYMPIA – Today, Governor Ferguson and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) released a list of 42 new sites across the state adding new slots for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) in the 2026-27 school year. The new sites and expansion at existing ECEAP providers will add approximately 2,400 new ECEAP slots, funded by an innovative public-private partnership between the State of Washington and the Ballmer Group.

In November 2025, Governor Ferguson, DCYF Secretary Tana Senn and representatives from Ballmer Group Philanthropy announced a new grant to dramatically expand ECEAP in Washington. The Ballmer Group’s grant is expected to fund up to 10,000 additional seats for ECEAP’s school-day model over the next 10 years, totaling approximately $1 billion in support for early learning.    

The approximately 2,400 new slots and 42 new sites are a slight decrease from what was previously announced; however, this number has successfully exceeded the state’s original goal of expanding to 2,000 new students in the first year. Some sites that previously accepted funding have since returned funds due to workforce shortages and unforeseen challenges with opening a new classroom. DCYF continues to work with applicants to address barriers to service.  

In the 2026-27 school year, state and Ballmer Group grant funds will be used to award over $251 million to early learning providers. The slots are being added at 105 current ECEAP sites and 42 new sites. 

“As we’re facing budget challenges, our public-private partnership is expanding access to high-quality early education for thousands of kids across our state,” Governor Ferguson said. “This expansion means more children, including our most vulnerable, will get the support they need to thrive in school and beyond.”

ECEAP is Washington's state-funded PreK program for children ages 3 and 4. The program provides access to free, high-quality preschool to eligible low-income families.

More information about ECEAP, including how to locate a provider and apply, is available here.

Information on how to become an ECEAP provider is available here.

New ECEAP sites:       

*Licensed Family Home Child Care site names have been redacted per WA Initiative 1501. 

What is ECEAP?

ECEAP was created in 1985 to offer free preschool and family support for low-income 3- and 4-year-olds. Families can qualify if their income is at or below 36 percent of the state median income. For a family of four, that’s $50,152 per year.

Families can also qualify based on other factors, including:

• Environmental factors such as homelessness, family violence, chemical dependency, foster care, or incarcerated parents.
• Developmental factors such as developmental delay or other special needs.

In addition, children with disabilities who qualify for special education services and/or previously participated in certain Birth to 3 programs are also eligible for ECEAP.