Washington, like all states, has a unique early childhood policy landscape that is shaped by economics, demographics, political history, coalitions, and other factors that create a state-specific environment for policy advocacy.
State early childhood policy progress is dependent both on the state’s environment and the numerous efforts—by the organizations listed on this page, other organizations, parents, policymakers, practitioners, and more—who work both independently and collaboratively to achieve wins for young children.
Research shows that family economic security is foundational to children’s overall wellbeing. Research also shows that widespread disparities in opportunity (especially by race) drive wide disparities in outcomes. States with policies that offer strong support to young children and their families are more likely to see 1) declining numbers of children in low-income households and 2) low racial disparity among those children.
Young Children in Low-Income Households: Declining
Approximately 29 percent (222,000) of the state’s children 0-8 live in households below 200 percent FPL (2022). This number represents a decrease from 33 percenbt (271,000) in 2017.1
Racial Disparity Among Young Children Living in Low-Income Households: High
Black, Hispanic/Latino, and/or Native children aged 0-8 are significantly more likely to be living in households below 200 percent FPL than are Asian and non-Hispanic White children.2
State General Fund Appropriations: Growing
Washington’s governor signed the state’s biennial operating, capital, and transportation budgets for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 in May of 2025, with some partial vetoes. The enacted budget provides for operating spending of $150.4 billion from all funds over the biennium – or $185.1 billion when including transportation and capital spending. Near general fund spending in the enacted operating budget for the biennium totals $77.9 billion. These figures reflect a 5.7 percent increase in total budgeted operating spending and a 7.1 percent increase in near-general fund spending over the previous biennium’s budget with supplemental changes (as revised in 2025). The enacted budget was based on a March 2025 near general fund revenue forecast of $70.95 billion for the next biennium (a 6.8 percent increase over estimates for the previous biennium), including $34.72 billion in fiscal 2026 (a 2.8 percent annual increase) and $36.23 billion in fiscal 2027 (a 4.3 percent annual increase).3
Key Revenue Sources (after federal transfers):4
Washington does not levy an individual income tax or corporate income tax but does have a gross receipts tax. Charges are public payments connected with a specific government service, such as tuition paid to a state university, payments to a public hospital, or highway tolls.
State Budget Rules:4
Washington uses a biennial budget. The legislature must pass a balanced budget, but it can carry a deficit over into the following year. Washington further limits spending growth with a budget rule based on inflation and population growth. The rule is binding and requires a legislative supermajority to override it. Washington also limits total authorized debt incurred by the state but does not limit debt service.
Washington has a capital gains tax dedicated to early childhood — a 7-percent tax on profits of more than $250,000 that result from the sale of stocks and bonds, excluding revenue from real estate and retirement accounts, among other exceptions. The tax raises hundreds of millions of dollars for crucial early childhood programs through 2021’s Fair Start for Kids Act (FSK).5
Political Alignment: Aligned
During the 2025 session, the state’s Senate and House were both Democrat controlled. The state’s Governor was also a Democrat.6
Types of Ballot Measures Available: Five
Early Childhood Policy Advocacy Organizations Include:
Early Childhood Policy Advocacy Multi-State Initiatives Include:9
Highlights from the state’s early childhood policy advocacy community include:8
Advocates are celebrating the passage of SB 5263, a landmark piece of legislation that overhauls special education funding. The bill was signed into law in April 2025 and became a priority bill for advocates in part due to the provision that fixes a past mistake by ensuring that the Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program, which provides early intervention services to children between birth to age three, gets the same funding support as preschool special education. Through this bill, the multiplier increased from 1.15 to 1.2 this year.
The bill also:
This win is the culmination of over a decade of advocacy and represents a significant step toward the state’s constitutional obligation to provide equitable education for all students. The reforms are expected to result in $870 million in increased funding over the next four years, supporting inclusive classrooms and better outcomes for students with disabilities across Washington.
Another key policy victory in 2025 was the passage of HB 1351, which expands access to the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), Washington’s no-cost preschool and family support program. In particular, the bill allows children to enroll in an available slot if they turn three after August 31 of the school year. Previously, children had to turn three by August 31 or wait until the next school year.
Now signed into law, HB 1314 enhances the Early Learning Facilities (ELF) Grant and Loan Program. This legislation aims to increase the availability of safe, high-quality early learning spaces by expanding funding options and eligibility criteria. HB 1314 broadens the scope of the ELF program to include emergency grants, reduces matching fund requirements, and allows loans and grants to support the conversion of part-day Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) slots to full or extended-day slots. Additionally, the bill extends eligibility to state-tribal education compact schools, enhancing access for Indigenous communities. The legislation also emphasizes leveraging private and local government investments to maximize the impact of state funds. This policy addresses the critical need for additional early learning facilities to accommodate growing demand. By improving access to funding and reducing barriers for providers, HB 1314 supports the expansion of early education opportunities, which are essential for preparing children for success in school and life. This win was also tied to a $69M investment in the Capital Budget for the Early Learning Facilities Fund.
A significant policy win for child care is the enactment of HB 1648, which addresses the challenges faced by child care providers in meeting certification and training requirements by introducing alternative pathways and extending deadlines. HB 1648 acknowledges the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the child care industry, leading to facility closures and workforce shortages. To support the sector, the bill delays the requirement for child care providers to meet certification and training qualifications until at least August 1, 2030. Additionally, it introduces a work equivalency option, allowing providers to substitute five years of cumulative work experience in licensed child care for formal education credentials. The legislation also mandates the development of a noncredit-bearing, community-based training pathway that aligns with core competencies, is offered in multiple languages, and is accessible to providers in both rural and urban settings. This pathway is designed to be low-cost and available online. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to convene a stakeholder group to assist in identifying strategies to improve staff qualification requirements and verification processes and report to the State Legislature by December 1, 2026. By implementing these changes, HB 1648 aims to retain experienced child care professionals, reduce barriers to entry for new providers, and enhance the quality of early learning services across the state. The policy reflects a commitment to strengthening the child care workforce, which is crucial for supporting working families and ensuring children have access to quality early education.
While imperfect in the eyes of most advocates, HB 1217 makes progress addressing housing affordability—one of the biggest issues in the state for families. The legislation introduces significant tenant protections, aiming to stabilize the rental market and prevent displacement. Some of the key provisions include:
This legislation directly affects the approximately 40 percent of Washington residents who rent, providing them with greater financial stability and legal recourse against exploitative practices.
SB 5813 strengthens the state’s education funding by creating a more progressive tax structure for the capital gains and estate taxes, thereby increasing contributions to the Education Legacy Trust Account (ELTA). Key provisions of the bill include the following:
Capital Gains Tax Reform: ESSB 5813 introduces a more progressive rate structure for the state’s 7 percent capital gains excise tax. This adjustment aims to ensure that higher-income individuals contribute a fairer share to the state’s education funding.
Estate Tax Adjustments: The bill also revises the estate tax, increasing the exclusion amount and adjusting the graduated rate schedule. These changes are designed to enhance the equity and efficiency of the estate tax system, ensuring that the wealthiest individuals contribute appropriately to public education funding.
Increased Funding for ELTA: The additional revenue generated from these tax reforms is directed into the ELTA, which supports common schools, higher education access, and other educational improvement efforts.
By implementing these tax reforms, SB 5813 aims to provide a more equitable and sustainable funding source for education in Washington state. The increased contributions to the ELTA are expected to support various educational initiatives, including expansion of access to higher education and improvements in K-12 education systems. This legislative action reflects Washington State’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for all residents by ensuring a more progressive and effective tax system that supports public education.
Our grantee in the state of Washington, Children’s Alliance, is a multi-issue advocacy organization working to place racial justice at the heart of Washington’s laws and budget priorities. Children’s Alliance leads the Early Learning Action Alliance (ELAA), a coalition of 50 organizations representing a diverse array of Washington nonprofits, professional associations, businesses, and industries. ELAA is united by the belief that all children in Washington state deserve to have the opportunities and support they need in their first five years of life to be prepared for school and a bright future.
Children’s Alliance is working to advance early childhood policies in several areas that align with the Alliance’s birth-through-eight policy framework:
Child Care
Child Care Workforce
Preschool and Pre-K
Maternal Health
Infant & Child Health
Home Visiting
Family Economic Security
Financing
Click here for more information on advocates’ policy agenda.
The Washington Supreme Court ruled on March 25, 2023, that the state’s new capital gains tax is constitutional—a decision that upholds a powerful new revenue stream that is expected to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for crucial early childhood programs through the state’s recently enacted Fair Start for Kids Act.
NOTES:
1 Kids Count Data Center, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Children Ages 0 to 8 Below 200 Percent Poverty, January, 2024.
2 National Center for Children in Poverty, Children Ages 0 through 8 Below 200 Percent Poverty, October 2024, NCCP analysis of ACS 5-Year Estimates – Public Use Microdata Sample 2018-2022.
3 National Association of State Budget Officers, Proposed and Enacted Budgets, FY 2026.
4 Urban Institute, State Fiscal Briefs, April 2025.
5 Alliance for Early Success, State Examples of Dedicated Funding Streams, 2025
6 National Conference of State Legislatures, 2025 State & Legislative Partisan Composition, January 31, 2025.
7 Ballotpedia, Ballot Measures by State, Kids Count Data Center, 2025.
8 Alliance for Early Success, Multi-State Initiatives for Early Childhood Policy Advocacy, July, 2024.
9 Alliance for Early Success, State-Wide Advocacy Highlights Survey, April-October, 2025.
