Summary

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the Best Starts Child Care Subsidy program is accepting applications – a $160 million investment over the next six years that has the potential to reach 2,000 families annually across King County.

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the launch of a $160 million investment to expand equitable access to child care for families in King County. The program is designed to support people who don’t qualify for other child care subsidies and is anticipated to reach 2,000 children in the region annually over the next six years.

Families may be eligible for the subsidy if they live in King County and fall below the income cap, about $91,000 for a family of four. The application is now open, with financial support beginning in November.

"Our core commitment - our True North - is to make King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive, and that includes our youngest residents. We must invest in positive outcomes for our children now, and into the future,” said Executive Constantine. “The child care sector has long been under-resourced, with low wages for workers and increasingly unaffordable care for families with low or moderate incomes. This new child care subsidy helps ensure equitable access to high-quality child care for all, and is part of the County’s commitment to treat child care as an essential service.”

The Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy program represents a historic investment over the next six years – and is unique in that it expands family eligibility beyond that of existing subsidies. Many families who have not previously had access to child care subsidies because of their income or their immigration status, could be eligible and are encouraged to apply.

The cost of child care, like many other basic costs of living in the region, has sky-rocketed in recent years while incomes remain low or stagnant for many families. Child care remains one of the largest expenses for families, with average costs exceeding $10,000 per year. Washington state ranks ninth among the most expensive states to raise a child.

Expanding child care subsidies is one way that King County can ensure equitable access to high-quality child care, which is not only essential to the well-being of families with young children but is a critical contributor to the continued recovery of the local economy.

“For too long, King County families have struggled to afford child care when they earn just a little too much to qualify for a subsidy or are ineligible for other reasons,” said Jessica Tollenaar Cafferty, Child Care Policy Lead with King County Department of Community and Human Services. “No family should have to make the choice between economic stability and access to child care. It's exciting to partner with families and providers to grow equitable access to child care and support the incredible outcomes high-quality early care provides.”

Full eligibility requirements are available at bskchildcare.org. The application is accessible in nine languages and families can receive live interpretation support in completing it by calling 206-208-6568.

Relevant links

• Best Starts for Kids | Child Care Subsidy Program
• DCHS Child Youth and Young Adults Division | Child Care Resources

Quotes

Our core commitment - our True North - is to make King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive, and that includes our youngest residents. We must invest in positive outcomes for our children now, and into the future. The child care sector has long been under-resourced, with low wages for workers and increasingly unaffordable care for families with low or moderate incomes. This new child care subsidy helps ensure equitable access to high-quality child care for all, and is part of the County’s commitment to treat child care as an essential service.

For too long, King County families have struggled to afford child care when they earn just a little too much to qualify for a subsidy or are ineligible for other reasons. No family should have to make the choice between economic stability and access to child care. It's exciting to partner with families and providers to grow equitable access to child care and support the incredible outcomes high-quality early care provides.

For more information, contact:

Katie Rogers, Department of Community and Human Services, 206-758-8287