This week, the Early Learning Action Alliance (ELAA) hosted its annual retreat, bringing together a broad coalition of organizations dedicated to enhancing the well-being and education of children ages 0-6. WFIS is a proud member of the Steering Committee, actively participating in weekly lobbyist meetings during the legislative session and advocating for a mixed delivery system in Washington that encompasses both private schools and private-pay early learning centers.
Key highlights from the retreat included insightful presentations from DCYF’s Matt Judge and Melissa Cheesman, who outlined their decision package budget for the 2025-2027 biennium. Each organization shared a brief overview of its policy priorities, allowing the coalition to identify key focus areas for the year ahead. Attendees also explored progressive revenue options and engaged with knowledgeable representatives. Representative My-Linh Thai discussed the Wealth Tax, while Senator Claire Wilson and Rep. Tana Senn highlighted their ongoing efforts in the early learning sector. Additionally, Rep. Kristine Reeves presented on the Social Equity Land Trust.
The ELAA coalition, comprising over forty organizations, dedicates significant time to deliberating issues and formulating a unified advocacy platform. Through our participation, WFIS gains invaluable insights and often brings a unique perspective to the table. We appreciate Children’s Alliance for fostering an inclusive environment where WFIS feels recognized and valued as a key contributor. Collaboration leads to greater achievements.
Current priorities on our advocacy agenda include extending teacher and administrator education deadlines, diversifying teacher education pathways, overhauling PACE to allow for online, on-demand courses, and recognizing years of experience toward fulfilling more educational requirements. We also advocate for licensing reform and parity with public schools for four-year-old classrooms. We welcome your ideas and feedback about our early learning advocacy efforts. With over 250 private schools operating early learning programs, we are committed to educating and caring for over 10,000 children from infancy to age six.
Feel free to get in touch with WFIS to share your thoughts!