This compilation is a summary for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or legal advice. Please contact the relevant goverment agencies or other professionals if you have questions or concerns about your particular situation.


Child care professionals have been deemed "essential" to our state economy. However, because many parents are working from home or have been laid off, some child care providers and teachers face closures of their business; others are at high-risk and must close to protect themselves and their families.

Here are the latest updates: 

SEIU 925 Family Child Care chapter leaders have been in ongoing meetings with DCYF to bargain impacts of this crisis on Family Child Care providers.

So far, the state has indicated the following: 

  • Renewing initial license will be rolling over to a 2nd initial license
  • Substitute days will be added, but we are still discussing how many
  • New invoices will be sent out for March, to address the full school-age days and hours
  • Communication will be sent out by the State to parents/clients to re-enforce “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order. (Additionally they are encouraging providers to re-enforce this)
  • Providers may tell their non-essential worker families, in order to be safe, families should stay at home with their children, if at all possible
  • Providers/Family Members who have tested positive for COVID or have symptoms which make you close down will be paid by enrollment for March and April

Pending items we are still waiting to hear back from the state on:

  • How to claim for March and April based on enrollment/hours for licensed providers and FFN’s
  • FFN’s not being paid correctly
  • Foster Program
  • 65 and older and higher risk categories
  • Waiving parent co-payments
  • Garnishments that have be adjudicated by an overpayment
  • Health insurance: we are discussing how to get health care for those that do not have it (assistants and providers)
  • Families that need to be reauthorized
  • Supplies and Personal Protective Equipment
  • Family co-payments and how to reduce or stop them during the virus pandemic

   

Kids First Child Care Center teachers delivered a petition to Governor Inslee and DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter calling for:
  • Covering lost wages
  • Free COVID testing and medical care for those who become ill
  • Subsidy payments based on enrollment, not attendance
  • Covering tuition payments for parents who lose their jobs
  • Helping centers access health and safety supplies


SEIU 925/Kids First Washington is hosting weekly calls for Early Learning teachers, directors and owners to give updates and create a forum for discussion and shared resources.

Click here if you would like to join these weekly calls.

You can also follow Kids First WA or SEIU 925 on Facebook for updates.