By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Last week, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) announced that more than 4,950 childcare educators and staff will receive a one-time payment up to $555 to support and recognize the importance of their roles for Seattle families and children.
Additionally, Harrell announced that the Every Child Ready Initiative, along with the proposed renewal of the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy, includes $18.5 million in funding to continue direct payments to childcare workers through 2032.
“Childcare workers are the backbone of our city, supporting strong working families and creating safe, nurturing environments for the next generation to learn and grow in,”said Harrell. “This dedicated workforce shows up every day for our communities with heart, patience, and an unwavering commitment to shape young minds and help them thrive. Our Every Child Ready initiative will continue this partnership with the childcare community to build a city where every family has access to affordable childcare opportunities and providers receive the living wages and respect that they deserve.”
As a parent of four kids and a former educator, DEEL Director Dr. Dwane Chappelle understands how critical it is for our children to have access to safe, nurturing, and high-quality childcare.
“Behind every strong early learning program is a truly committed educator,” says Chappelle, who acknowledged that women of color make up a considerable number of childcare providers in Seattle. “As a former educator myself, I just appreciate how often women of color just show up every day to support our kids,” says Chappelle.
“The reality is that these folks who we are talking about have really cared for children through the global crisis, and many of them continue to operate on very slim margins,” he continued. “These payments are about valuing the essential work [they provide] and keeping those trusted individuals in our children’s lives. So, I look at this investment as preserving that care and sustaining those who are saving lives and doing the work.”
“As any parent can tell you, leaving your child with a caretaker can be difficult. You want to know that your child will be safe, happy, engaged and encouraged,” said Councilmember Maritza Rivera, District 4, Chair of Select Committee on FEPP Levy. “Seattle’s Child Care Assistance Program providers play such a large role in the lives of kids in their care, and the families who depend upon them. By investing in childcare providers, we can retain and attract these essential workers and support our working families and their kids.”
The Child Care Staff Retention Payments first began in 2021, and this year marks the fifth round of retention payments. Workers receiving funds this year represent 608 provider agencies across the city, including center-based, school-age, and family childcare programs.
According to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in Seattle, childcare workers remain among the lowest paid in the state, earning about $11 less per hour than the average wage for workers in the Seattle area. Since 2021, the city has provided financial support to thousands of childcare workers, distributing more than $16 million in relief since the start of the pandemic.
“I know that our early learning workforce has been long underpaid and undervalued, and that’s despite being essential to families and to the development of our young children,” said Chappelle. “The payments are literally just one way to recognize and retain them. Especially the dedicated educators who make our childcare system here in Seattle work.”
According to Chappelle, DEEL recently hosted its institute for early learning educators, which is a resource for early childhood educators in the City of Seattle that provides leadership, policy development, and coordination for early learning programs and policies. This event helped open his eyes to see the magnitude of women of color in the childcare career field.
“It was really celebrating the brilliance of Black girls. I had the privilege of seeing a lot of childcare and early learning providers in this space, and a majority of them are women of color. And, I again saw my children’s current teachers in there,” Chappelle said. “So, I just again think about these payments, and it really is just a recognition that equity really has to be included in the folks that are doing the work, and not just the people or families who are being served.”
About 80% of licensed childcare providers operating within Seattle boundaries applied for payments on behalf of their staff for this grant year. Of the 4,953 total childcare staff recipients, 71% identify as people of color.
“The childcare retention payments will support my staff and I in ways you can’t imagine,” said Khadra, owner of her family child care program at Ryan Early Learning Program. “The cost of living has gone up in Seattle, so I’m happy that the City of Seattle can give back to us.”
DEEL partnered with BrightSpark Early Learning Services to deliver direct payments to all eligible staff working at family childcare and center-based programs licensed by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families within Seattle city limits.
“At BrightSpark, we are honored to partner with the Department of Education and Early Learning in distributing these crucial funds,” said Courtney Nolen-Viducich, BrightSpark Program Officer. “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.”
“Our work collaboration with them really just ensures that the payments reach all of the providers across Seattle equitably, and not just equitably, but also and efficiently,” said Chappelle. “The strength of our communities starts with the care and education our children receive from an early age.”
