Support for Early Learning & Families

06/03/2026

Check out these great tips for you and your little one.

Hey, parents -- you already have a lot on your plate. Vroom is here to help you capitalize on the moments you’re already spending together! Try this the next time you’re out for a walk with your kiddo.

Pick a spot ahead of you and ask your child to predict how many steps it will take to get there. Then have them test this out. Encourage them to change the way they move, like running or jumping to the same spot. How do those changes affect the prediction?

What’s the Brainy Background? 🧠 Your child is thinking like a scientist by making predictions and testing them against what actually happens. This game also develops the skill of critical thinking and helps them explore math ideas, like distance and counting. 💡✨

06/03/2026

💕 The SWCCP cohort recently gathered to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another as small business child care owners.

These conversations create a valuable space to talk openly about the real trials and triumphs of running a child care business—from day-to-day challenges to long-term growth strategies. Just as importantly, they provide a community where owners can lean on each other, exchange ideas, and strengthen their business knowledge and expertise.

We’re grateful for a network that supports both personal resilience and professional development across the child care field.

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💕 El grupo de la cohorte SWCCP se reunió recientemente para conectarse, compartir experiencias y aprender unos de otros como propietarios de pequeñas empresas de cuidado infantil.

Estas conversaciones crean un espacio valioso para hablar abiertamente sobre los verdaderos retos y triunfos de administrar un negocio de cuidado infantil, desde los desafíos del día a día hasta estrategias de crecimiento a largo plazo. Igualmente importante, brindan una comunidad donde los propietarios pueden apoyarse mutuamente, intercambiar ideas y fortalecer sus conocimientos y experiencia empresarial.

Estamos agradecidos por una red que apoya tanto la resiliencia personal como el desarrollo profesional en el ámbito del cuidado infantil.

05/30/2026

🎉 We’re HIRING! 🎉

Don’t miss out on this outstanding opportunity.

ECEAP Lead Teacher
$23.63 - $26.11

✏️ Apply today at: bit.ly/ECEJobs

ESD 112 partners with Support for Early Learning & Families to provide staffing & HR for our Early Care & Education programs.

Do you have a passion for children? Are you looking for a job with great pay and benefits? Take a look at the variety of Early Childhood Education (ECE) positions available. Positively impact the life of a child today!

05/28/2026

We love these great tips!

05/28/2026

After 13 years of dedicated service, we share with both gratitude and sadness that Joan Caley will be stepping down from the Support for Early Learning & Families (SELF) Board of Directors. Joan joined the Board in 2013, during a time when SELF was still a small organization and has played an important role in its growth and evolution as a leading voice in early learning and child care. Over her tenure, she has helped guide meaningful milestones, including the launch of partnerships for early learning and child care services and the introduction of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library into our community. Joan has been a passionate advocate for early care and education and a valued part of the team.

We are deeply grateful for her years of leadership, commitment, and support, and we know she will remain one of our strongest champions moving forward.

05/25/2026

Today, we remember and honor the courageous men and women who gave their lives while serving our nation. Their sacrifice made countless freedoms possible, and their courage will never be forgotten.

Today, we remember not only their service, but the families, loved ones, and communities who carry their memory forward every day. We are deeply grateful.

05/23/2026

📚✨ We’re excited to share some hopeful news for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Southwest Washington!

Recently, we learned that the State of Washington did not include continued funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, creating a significant funding gap and uncertainty for the future of free monthly books for local children. Today, we’re grateful to share that temporary funding has been secured through June 2027, helping provide important stability for the program in the near term.

While this is a major step forward, additional funding is still needed to help sustain the program long-term for the more than 11,000 children we serve across our region.

👉 To donate, please visit: bit.ly/DPILtoDonate

Support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Southwest Washington. Learn about current funding updates, community efforts, and how you can help provide free books to nearly 11,000 local children each month.

05/21/2026

🤷‍♂️ Why does Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Matter?

It targets the most important learning window (birth–age 5).

🧠 Roughly 90% of brain development happens before age five. During this time, consistent exposure to books and language strongly influences vocabulary, comprehension, and later academic success. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library delivers books directly during this window, month after month.

📢 Get the latest program news and updates here: bit.ly/DPILnews

Support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Southwest Washington. Learn about current funding updates, community efforts, and how you can help provide free books to nearly 11,000 local children each month.

05/19/2026

🎬 Lights, camera, action!

We had such a fun time filming with the team at First 5 FUNdamentals and capturing the heart behind the work happening in our community. A huge thank you to everyone involved for such a great day — we can’t wait to share more!

👀✨And stay tuned… something special is coming for Debbie at the upcoming First 5 FUNdamentals’ annual Inspire Breakfast.