BrightSpark Early Learning Services

A young child, even an infant, is learning every moment of every day. A babys brain grows to 90% of its adult size during the first 3 years of life. Young children learn through observing and exploring their world, by using their senses, and most importantly, in nurturing relationships with their caregivers. We partner with families with young children to help them find and access high quality early learning programs and resources offered statewide. We also partner with early learning teachers who provide high quality care for all children in King and Pierce Counties. BrightSpark helps families find childcare that supports a child's unique needs, thefamilys values, and culture, and fits their work or other activities. Parents have many options for care, including care by a family member, care in the home by a family friend or nanny, licensed childcare, private preschools and Head Start or ECEAP. Staff at BrightSpark talk with the family about their needs and wishes for care; explain what quality care looks like, and then help in the childcare search. If the choice is licensed childcare, BrightSpark provides a customized list of options. Licensed childcare is expensive, so we help families find resources to pay for care. Children who get safe, nurturing play and learning experiences are ready for school; those who dont are most often the ones who start behind and stay behind. In fact, 55% of children in WASHINGTON are not prepared to enter kindergarten and the percentage rises to 75% among low-income children. Based in King and Pierce Counties, Washington working locally and state-wide, BrightSpark helps build quality childcare and early learning access for all children. BrightSpark is a respected leader in forging and honoring collaborations and building innovative, nimble, outcome driven programs focused on building solid learning foundations for all children.

BrightSpark is committed to providing access to high quality learning for children in King and Pierce Counties. We do this through a number of core programs: coaching and training of early learning professionals, hosting the states no-cost call center for all things early learning, and raising and administering funds that enable families to afford high quality early learning. Research demonstrates that access to high quality early learning is a key preventative measure resulting in public savings ($1 invested saves $7 later on), maintains our workforce and builds bright, resilient children ready for Kindergarten.

Working with Families: Since 1990, BrightSpark has served over 200,000 families. BrightSpark has direct contact with families of all income levels and works with all types of childcare providers as well as informal caregivers. A strong partner with non-profits, government, foundations, businesses, and individuals, BrightSpark raises awareness about early learning, promotes best practices, and advocates for increased investments to ensure quality. BrightSpark empowers families to make the best possible choices for their childrens care. For FY 23-24, BrightSpark made a significant impact:- BrightSpark provided information and referral and subsidy support to 3,981 families.- 512 families experiencing homelessness were provided subsidy and service coordination.- 1,044 families from King and Pierce Counties received a subsidy from BrightSpark.- BrightSpark offers services in the familys home language, helps families find culturally relevant care, assists families that need weekend or after-hours care,or care for children with special needs, as well as afterschool care.- More than 7,417 FFN caregivers and parents participated in BrightSparksupported Kaleidoscope Play & Learn groups statewide. More than 44% spoke a language other than English at home. Our coaches and trainers supported over 2,000 childcare professionals in their pathway to high quality.- 47 childcare programs benefited from the expertise of an Infant/Toddler coach,improving the quality of care given to our youngest learners.- Our coaches supported the quality improvement of over 2,000 licensed childcare providers in King and Pierce counties.