This dashboard highlights the number of children in eligible families who participate in Working Connections Child Care (WCCC). In estimating eligibility, we count children in households that the Census Bureau estimates to have an income level at or below 60% of the State Median Income (SMI) and where all available parents are working. Statewide, this is about 296,000 children under the age of 13.

About 44,000 children are currently served with childcare subsidies. Statewide, we estimate the uptake of subsidies among all eligible children at about 15%. These estimates vary by age group and time. Currently, DCYF estimates about 11% of infants, 25% of toddlers, 31% of preschool-age, and 10% of school-age children in eligible households are participating in subsidized childcare.
For additional information please refer to: https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/practice/oiaa/reports/early-learning-dashboards/subsidy-takeup

Statewide, DCYF estimates that families of about 293,000 children age B-5 not yet in school need child care, because all available parents in the home are working. Only about 27% of these children are served by licensed child care, preschool, and/or subsidized child care.
Additionally, we estimate that families of over 491,000 school-age children (kindergarten through age 12) are in need of care, and only about 12% of these children are served by licensed child care, preschool, and/or subsidized child care.

The percent of need met for child care, preschool, and/or subsidized child care for children of all ages varies widely across the state.

*https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/practice/oiaa/reports/early-learning-dashboards/child-care-need-supply-data

Statewide, DCYF estimates that families of about 305,000 children, age B-5, are not yet in school and need child care. Only about 34% of those children are enrolled in licensed child care or preschool. The percent of need met for child care and preschool for young children varies widely across the state.