Child Care Aware of Washington

Child Care Aware of Washington We connect families to high quality child care and early learning programs, and we support providers Because Quality Matters.

We connect families to high quality child care and early learning programs, and we support providers who deliver it.

Happy Grandparents Day! Across the country, grandparents play a major role in supporting child care, particularly for yo...
09/13/2026

Happy Grandparents Day! Across the country, grandparents play a major role in supporting child care, particularly for young children. A 2023 Harris poll found that 42% of working parents rely on grandmothers for child care, and according to the 2011 US Census, nearly one in four children under age five receive regular care from a grandparent.

As part of Family, Friends and Neighbors (FFN) Appreciation Week, we honor the grandparents that help children grow and learn. Grandparent care can reduce or eliminate childcare expenses and fill gaps when formal childcare isn't available. AARP specifically notes that this care helps parents remain in the workforce, manage household costs and maintain financial stability.

That's particularly important given that childcare availability doesn't necessarily line up neatly with parents' work schedules. Grandparents can provide care before or after school, during school closures, when a child is sick, or during nontraditional work hours.

It can also strengthen family relationships. Regular caregiving creates opportunities for grandchildren and grandparents to build strong intergenerational bonds. And grandparents themselves report considerable benefits: 79% say caring for their grandchildren is extremely or very fulfilling,

Tomorrow launches Family, Friends and Neighbor (FFN) Appreciation week to honor the caregivers who play a significant ro...
09/12/2026

Tomorrow launches Family, Friends and Neighbor (FFN) Appreciation week to honor the caregivers who play a significant role in the child care ecosystem in Washington State. Nearly 75% of Washington’s children under age five are in the care of parents and other FFN caregivers.

Because of FFN caregivers’ contributions to child care and early learning, more parents can stay in the workforce and more families can find care that aligns with their unique needs.

Through Child Care Aware of Washington, FFN caregivers in our state have access to a range of services, including connection with other FFN caregivers, and opportunities to participate in local Play & Learn groups. Play and Learn programs in Washington state are free, drop-in community groups where children from birth to age five and their caregivers gather to play, read, and learn together.

“Before coming to playgroup, my son had very little interaction with other children. Since attending, I have seen so much growth in him socially and in many other ways,” said one parent. ”He’s better at communicating, interacting and being around other children and people in general. The playgroup has helped my son more than I could ever have imagined.”

To learn more go to https://childcareawarewa.org/family-services/family-friend-neighbor-child-care/

Lots of parents rely on people they know and trust to provide safe, stable care for their children. This type of care is...
09/10/2026

Lots of parents rely on people they know and trust to provide safe, stable care for their children. This type of care is known as Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) child care. FFN is the most common form of child care, providing families with culturally-aligned, flexible, and cost-effective support.

Child Care Aware of Washington is a proud sponsor of Family Friend and Neighbor Appreciation Week Sept. 13-18 which honors the more than 5 million family, friend and neighbor caregivers nationwide who look after 11.5 million children nationwide each year.

Learn more at https://homegrownchildcare.org/ffnappreciationweek/

Congratulations to the first graduates of a full-Spanish-immersion bachelor's degree cohort in Early Childhood Education...
08/26/2026

Congratulations to the first graduates of a full-Spanish-immersion bachelor's degree cohort in Early Childhood Education at North Seattle College funded by scholarships from Child Care Aware of Washington!

This is the first program of its kind in Washington State, serving mostly monolingual students that face challenges within the broader educational system. This program was designed entirely in Spanish and offered remotely, eliminating barriers to higher education and preparing professionals in the child care industry who reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of Hispanic Communities. These scholars excelled in this environment, and will now be able to use their knowledge to help children in their care thrive.

Child Care Aware of Washington can help you find out if you qualify for free or low-cost child care. After learning your...
08/01/2026

Child Care Aware of Washington can help you find out if you qualify for free or low-cost child care. After learning your eligibility, our team is there to help you fill out the application and access high-quality affordable child care.

Speak to a representative and check your eligibility by calling (800) 446-1114 M-F.

Need help paying for child care? Lots of Washington families do. Financial support can make child care more affordable a...
07/25/2026

Need help paying for child care? Lots of Washington families do. Financial support can make child care more affordable and help your child to learn, grow, and thrive. You may qualify if you work, go to school, are in job training, have a seasonal job, or are experiencing homelessness.

Find out if you’re eligible at https://tinyurl.com/38dy789d.

07/22/2026

Advocacy isn’t just one person or one organization, it takes a village! Nicollette Roe, a grassroots leader with our partner MomsRising.org, spoke at the NO on I-645 launch last week about how defeating this bad initiative is critical to protecting the child care safety net.

07/22/2026

Need help paying for child care? Lots of Washington families do. Financial support can make child care more affordable and help your child to learn, grow, and thrive. You may qualify if you work, go to school, are in job training, have a seasonal job, or are experiencing homelessness.

Find out if you’re eligible through through the link in our bio or by clicking https://tinyurl.com/38dy789d

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1001 Pacific Avenue , Suite 400
Tacoma, WA
98402

Telephone

+12533831735

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