The Imagine Institute

05/08/2026

Thank you to all the providers — for the work and care you do every day! We appreciate you! 👏 🎉

Governor Bob Ferguson signed a proclamation declaring May 8, 2026 as Provider Appreciation Day! In recognition, DCYF would like to take a moment to celebrate the important work that our early learning and child care providers do each and every day.

Read more at https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/news/dcyf-celebrates-provider-appreciation-day

12/11/2025

FREE SELF-PACED COURSES ARE HERE!

The Imagine Institute’s FREE self-paced courses are now available to all Washington State early learning professionals. Get access to flexible training designed to fit your schedule and complete your 10 in-service hours before the end of the year!

What you can look forward to:
• Learn at your own pace
• Earn STARS hours
• Access high-quality training anytime, anywhere

Please note: Incentives will not be provided for self-paced courses.

Sign up now! https://imaginewa.org/self-paced/

11/27/2025

FREE SELF-PACED COURSES ARE HERE!

The Imagine Institute’s FREE self-paced courses are now available for early learning professionals across Washington State. Get access to flexible, high-quality training designed to fit your schedule.

Learn at your own pace

Earn STARS hours

Access high-quality training anytime, anywhere

Please note: Incentives will not be provided for self-paced courses.

Get started today!

Go to: https://imaginewa.org/self-paced/

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¡YA ESTÁN AQUÍ LOS CURSOS GRATUITOS Autodirigidos

Los cursos GRATUITOS Autodirigidos The Imagine Institute ya están disponibles para los profesionales de la primera infancia en todo el estado de Washington. Obtén acceso a capacitaciones flexibles y de alta calidad, diseñadas para adaptarse a tu horario.

Aprende a tu propio ritmo

Obtén horas STARS

Accede a capacitaciones de alta calidad en cualquier momento y lugar

Nota: No se ofrecerán incentivos por completar los cursos autodirigidos.

¡Empieza hoy mismo!

Visita: https://imaginewa.org/self-paced/

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KOORSOOYINKII IS-BARASHADA AH EE BILAASHKA AH WAY SOO GAAREEN!

Koorsooyinka is-barashada ee bilaashka ah ee The Imagine Institute hadda waa diyaar dhammaan xirfadlayaasha barbaarinta carruurta ee gobolka Washington. Ka hel tababaro dabacsan oo tayo sare leh oo loo habeeyay jadwalkaaga.

Ku baro si raaxo leh waqtigaaga
Hel saacado STARS
Ka hel tababaro tayo sare leh meel kasta iyo waqti kasta

Fiiro gaar ah: Ma jiri doonaan dhiirigelinno la bixiyo koorsooyinkan is-barashada ah.

Ku bilow maanta!

Booqo: https://imaginewa.org/self-paced/

11/21/2025

View in Español Opening Mundo de Juguetes in Federal Way Through Partnership, Persistence, and Community Support MEET NIDIA When Nidia Hernandez opened Mundo de Juguetes in Federal Way, she wasn’t simply starting a business. She was stepping into a calling she had been preparing for quietly, pati...

11/20/2025

Provider spotlight: Nidia Hernandez, the new owner of Mundo de Juguetes in Federal Way! With support from Imagine U and the City of Federal Way's investment, three new family home child care programs, including Nidia’s, have opened recently to serve local families.

“I wanted to build something meaningful for my daughter and for other families,” she said. “I knew I loved children, but I didn’t know where to start until someone showed me the way.”

And thank you to all who attended the ribbon cutting, including Sen. Claire Wilson, Mayor Jim Ferrell, councilmembers, and Federal Way, WA, for your continued support and commitment to strengthening early learning opportunities for children and families in Washington.

Read Nidia's story: https://imaginewa.org/provider-spotlight-nidia-hernandez/

View in Español Opening Mundo de Juguetes in Federal Way Through Partnership, Persistence, and Community Support MEET NIDIA When Nidia Hernandez opened Mundo de Juguetes in Federal Way, she wasn’t simply starting a business. She was stepping into a calling she had been preparing for quietly, pati...

11/04/2025

You’re Invited to Strictly for Kids Grand Re-Opening

Shop premium early learning furniture, classroom equipment, cots, and outdoor play items!

When: November 6-8
Where: 11702 24th Ave E, Bldg 3, Tacoma, WA

There will be FREE gifts, refreshments & time to connect with fellow educators!
Can’t make it? No problem! Contact [email protected] or call 253-472-0422 to order during the event. Learn more: https://strictlyforkidsstore.com

Are you a Shared Services Hub member? Get exclusive savings 30–40% off! Not a Hub member? It’s free to join and you’ll get access to exclusive tools, resources, and training! Go to https://sharedserviceswa.org

10/20/2025

Coming Soon: FREE Self-Paced Courses for Early Learning Professionals!

Learn at your own pace and build new skills to support your ECE work with children and families—anytime, anywhere.

Earn STARS hours:
Access high quality training to build your professional skills and grow your career in early learning

Please note: Incentives will not be provided for self-paced courses.

Stay tuned for launch and registration details!
Follow us here and visit imaginewa.org to be the first to know when these free courses go live.

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¡Vienen Pronto: ¡Cursos GRATUITOS a tu propio ritmo para profesionales de la primera infancia!

Aprende a tu propio ritmo y desarrolla nuevas habilidades para apoyar tu trabajo en educación temprana con niños y familias — en cualquier momento y lugar.

Obtén horas STARS:
Accede a capacitaciones de alta calidad para fortalecer tus habilidades profesionales y avanzar en tu carrera en educación infantil.

Nota: No se ofrecerán incentivos por completar los cursos autodirigidos.

¡Mantente atento/a para conocer los detalles del lanzamiento y registro!
Síguenos aquí y visita imaginewa.org para ser el primero/a en enterarte cuando estos cursos gratuitos estén disponibles.
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Degdeg Ayaa U Imanaya: Koorsooyin Bilaash Ah oo Aad Ku Dhigan Karto Waqtigaaga!

Bar waxyaabo cusub si aad u taageerto shaqadaada daryeelka carruurta iyo qoysaska—waqti kasta, meel kasta.

Hel saacado STARS:
Ka qaybgal tababaro tayo sare leh oo kaa caawinaya inaad horumariso xirfadahaaga iyo shaqadaada barbaarinta carruurta

Fiiro gaar ah: Ma jiri doonaan dhiirigelinno (incentives) la bixiyo koorsooyinkan is-barashada ah.

La soco faahfaahinta diiwaangelinta iyo bilowga koorsooyinka!
Raac boggan ama booqo imaginewa.org si aad u ogaato marka koorsooyinkan bilaashka ahi ay toos u bilaabmaan.

09/15/2025

Happy Monday! Be sure to save the date for the We Are SeaTac celebration this weekend. We hope to see you there!

Welcoming Week is an annual national campaign that focuses on celebrating and joining efforts to create communities that are welcoming places for all, including immigrants. This year, in partnership with the International Rescue Committee and King County Library System, we will be celebrating Welcom...

08/26/2025

New childcare options are coming to Burien. With mentorship, startup grants and ongoing support from experts, this initiative tackles a critical gap for working families and businesses. Read how it’s being done: https://www.chooseburien.com/news/p/item/64070/burien-invests-in-childcare-to-strengthen-workforce-and-support-families



The Imagine Institute

08/13/2025

Childcare is economic infrastructure. Burien is investing $250K to open 9 new family childcare businesses, expanding access and supporting working families. See how this initiative strengthens workforce and community. Read the full update: https://www.chooseburien.com/news/p/item/64070/burien-invests-in-childcare-to-strengthen-workforce-and-support-families