State Representative Kristine Reeves, D-Federal Way, initiated legislation to increase affordability and access to childcare during the 2018 Legislative Session. Because of her efforts, Reeves has been appointed to the Child Care Collaborative Task Force. The governor-appointed task force, a creation from a new law passed by Reeves, brings together the key players in childcare: the business community, parents, early learning advocates, childcare providers, and lawmakers.
Representative Reeves, accompanied by forty other Task Force members, visited a member of the Washington Federation of Independent Schools, Montessori Academy at Spring Valley on Tuesday, on July 10, 2018. The Task Force members were able to spend time visiting classrooms for toddlers through middle school students. For many in the group, this was their first visit to a Montessori School. Their feedback suggests that they were very impressed by what they saw; particularly the independence and articulate nature of the children.
Rep. Reeves is a natural in the classroom and demonstrated this through her easy-going communication with the students. The children loved talking with her! When the Director of the School, Gulsevin Kayihan commented about it, Rep. Reeves said that she has two children of her own and loves to talk with children. She was friendly and cheerful with the students.
After the school visit, the Task Force met at the Federal Way Center to discuss childcare issues. The goal is to make quality childcare accessible and affordable for all parents. This will take effort and creativity, both characteristics Rep. Reeves has demonstrated in her work in Olympia. Director Kayihan shared her impressions of the day with WFIS conveying “We were delighted to be able to host the Task Force at our school and look forward to working with the group to solve this important issue”.
