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Opinion | Finding child care: So many waitlists, so little time!

Beginnings Schools – Early Childhood Program in Seattle, Washington

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Beginnings Capitol Hill

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Seattle in Detail

5 tips for finding child care

Space Needle

Seattle Great Wheel

Seattle Aquarium

Wings Over Washington

Ballard Locks

Seattle Children’s Theatre, SCT

Artists at Play Playground

Gum Wall

Shug’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream

Frankie & Jo’s

Full Tilt Ice Cream

3 months to 5 years (under 6 years)

3 months to 6 years (under 7 years)

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Опубликовано: January 15, 2023 в 6:10 pm

Автор: alexxlab

Категории: Miscellaneous

When our daughter was born in 2017, Seattle seriously showed up.

From a CenteringPregnancy program at Swedish to a weekly parent peer-support group through Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS), to our infant cooperative preschool, we felt like the city had wrapped around us in a warm embrace.

Apparently, the key to melting ‘The Seattle Freeze” is to make babies. So if you’re a new parent, allow me to be the first to say, “Congratulations, you’ve arrived!”

Well … kind of. If you haven’t noticed yet, there is one thing that Washington state has yet to figure out for families, and it’s a big one: child care. Our family, like so many, were on countless waitlists, holding our breath until the waning hours of our parental leave. While we did manage to land a seat in the eleventh hour, we know that much of our state is considered a child care desert, and many families find themselves significantly challenged to find care in time and within their budget.

From working odd hours to bouncing between friends, neighbors, or nannies, families have long been patching their lives together to survive. But it’s not just a matter of keeping children safe while parents work. Research shows that quality early education has a remarkable impact on human development. Despite the demand, the care shortage is at an all-time high as we transition out of the pandemic.

As a professional in the field of early education and a mom who has been through my share of child care arrangements, I have picked up some tips for finding child care throughout the years. Having learned some the hard way, I’d love to share.

Faced with a shortage, parents often go into “fight mode” (get on a zillion waitlists) or “flight mode” (procrastinate and potentially pay the price). Personally, I went into full-on “fight mode” with my first and was once on twelve (yes, twelve) waitlists for infant care. I’m now expecting my second child, and I see a better way. A way that involves more intention and less panic.

Heads-up on these tips: while a nanny or nanny share arrangement can work out beautifully, it is not affordable for all families, and it’s generally easier to secure a nanny than a seat in an infant program, I’ve narrowed my focus. To that effect, here are five tips for finding center and home-based child care:

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Talk the talk

If your family is looking for child care, let it be known. Spread the word to friends, neighbors, coworkers, on parenting groups, and with playground acquaintances even! Quality programs seek out parents who are partners in caring for and educating the child, and referrals can help them achieve this goal. The days of just dropping off your kids at child care like you’d drop off your car at the mechanic are passing. These are caring communities, and strong communities are built on human connection. Furthermore, spreading the word could lead to a nanny share arrangement with fellow parents, whether through word of mouth or social networking nanny share groups.

Find your fit

Taking the time to be intentional could land you a seat and save you time in the long run. How? Authenticity matters and your genuine interest can come across to those who manage admissions. As well, you’re more likely to stay with the program. As a colleague who ran admissions at her preschool remarked, “Parents think they’re interviewing us, but we’re also interviewing them.”

Fortunately, doing your research on early education philosophy is easier than it sounds. Are you looking for a “home away from home”? Seek out a family home child care. Do you value self-sufficiency? Check out Montessori. Is PEPS your jam? A cooperative school (often referred to as a co-op, it equates to early education plus parent education more than child care) is similar.

Pedagogy geeks like me love nothing more than talking and writing about these things, so take a little time to familiarize yourself, and be sure to tour. While finding a good fit for your child and family is essential, child care options can vary in cost and location. If your local options are more general — also known as play-based — worry not. Play is the work of children and is a legitimate philosophy in and of itself. All programs can be of quality, and it’s easy to get a list of what to look for.

Consider mixed-income programs

It’s interesting, but the adage “you get what you pay for” doesn’t necessarily apply in the child care industry. Our state, counties and cities have varying subsidy programs that assist at a growing range of income levels. Income eligibility will be expanding thanks to the Fair Start for Kids Act. Programs such as the mixed-income Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) can be exceptionally high quality; as recipients of public funds, they have more resources than many fully private programs.

For this reason – and also because of our family’s belief that mixed-income schools can create more robust, more diverse communities – our daughter is going into her second year of preschool in an SPP program. While not all programs accept subsidies (ugh!), Child Care Aware can help you find those that do.

If infant placement isn’t lining up, look toward the 12-month mark

The younger the child, the more expensive care is due to the low ratio requirements of state licensing, which require that there be 1 caregiver for every 4 infants in the room. Compare this to a college class, where the ratio in a lecture hall might be 1 professor to 200 students.

Even though the professor’s pay rate may be quadruple that of the early childhood educator, seat by seat, the infant class is still far more expensive to run. Therefore, many center-based programs have eliminated their infant programs as so few families can afford the actual cost of care. But don’t assume that you’re out of luck until preschool (age 3). Licensing ratios increase to 1 caregiver to 7 infants at 12 months of age, so the supply of care increases substantially for young toddlers, and it jumps again at preschool age (1:12). Consider getting on the waitlist for a program or two that starts at 12 months.

Be part of the child care solution

While I’m optimistic that a savvy parent can find a fit in the Seattle area, I’m not at all confident that all Washington families will. Our current shortage is real. There aren’t enough licensed seats for all. If you care about children and you care about the labor rights of women – especially women of color, who are overrepresented in the lowest-paying jobs in the field – then you have found your cause, my friend!

Legislators are tired of hearing from professionals. They want to hear from the folks on the ground. Parents of young children are hard to engage in the political process — we’re a busy lot, and it’s a temporary identity. When we do speak up, our voices carry weight. And it matters!

My family, for example, will get double the paid leave with our second child than our first, thanks to those who advocated for our state to become the fifth in the nation to offer Paid Family and Medical Leave in 2020. So please, share your struggles with your legislators. Consider reaching out to Child Care Aware and Moms Rising, two organizations that make it easy.

Last but not least, there is a mantra we live by in the co-op world: “You are your child’s first and most important teacher.” Regardless of where you find care, breathe easy knowing that YOU are showing up for your young child and that together we can call on our society to do the same.

Republished with permission from Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS). This piece was previously published on the PEPS blog on August 4, 2021.

Editor’s note: Publication of an opinion piece does not mean Seattle’s Child or its staff endorses the views of the author.

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Beginnings Schools – Early Childhood Program in Seattle, Washington | Located on Queen Anne and Capitol Hill

Beginnings is a cooperative community and a home away from home. It is a place where children feel cared for and secure and where families can feel relaxed, supported and involved.

This website is a resource to help you better understand our program and to guide our partnership as we work together to provide excellent care for your child.

Beginnings Schools are nonprofit, NAEYC-accredited early learning programs.

You have chosen an early childhood program for your child that is accredited by the National…

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Beginnings Schools are dedicated to providing an anti-bias environment for children and adults. An anti-bias…

We believe that children learn through play and exploration. Children process the world around them in…

Our Curriculum ›››

We at Beginnings believe strongly in the need to foster individual growth and self-esteem for…

What We Believe ›››

Beginnings Queen Anne is located at the top of Queen Anne Hill, on 1st and Garfield, and provides care to approximately 40 children and their families.

Fore more information and enrollment inquiries, please contact Program Director Summer Joy Bermejo, 206-697-1885, or email [email protected].

Beginnings Capitol Hill is on the corner of 15th and Denny, and provides care to approximately 40 children and their families.

For more information and enrollment inquiries, please contact Program Director Molly Howard, 206-707-5212 or email [email protected].

Please call programs for more information and to schedule a tour. Contact Molly Howard, Program Director. Phone (206) 707-5212, or email [email protected]

Please call programs for more information and to schedule a tour. Contact Summer Bermejo, Program Director. Phone (206) 697-1885, or email bqa@seattlebegin. org

Beginnings Schools ensure that all families, regardless of family structure—socioeconomic, racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds; gender; abilities or preferred languages—are included in all aspects of our program. We are a parent cooperative, and require every parent or guardian to participate in our parent committees.

Get Involved

I knew as soon as I toured this daycare that it was the one for us and I have been nothing but impressed.

– Ender

My child was safe and well taken care of. That security and nurturing environment has continued to the preschool room.

– Nicole

We love the teachers and leadership…We’re big fans of Beginnings.

– Kathy

It is great that this is a non profit daycare and there is a board that can be joined if one would like to implement change.

– Tory

Seattle glassblowing studio introduces everyone to the art of glassblowing. Here you can not only buy products from famous masters, but also create your own masterpieces. Seattle Glassblowing Studio runs workshops for children ages 5 and up. In just 15 minutes, kids can make a glass medallion, a flower or a heart with their own hands. Those who are 11 years old are taught to blow vases, cups, Christmas balls and simple glass figurines.

Seattle Glassblowing Studio Practice © seattlemet.com

Designing an entertainment program for kids in Seattle is easy. In addition to museums, beaches, parks and a zoo, the Emerald City has many interesting places that are ideal for families. Climb the famous Space Needle, ride Seattle’s Big Wheel, watch the ships pass through the Ballard Locks, and be sure to take photos at the Gum Wall.

Seattle Walk © HQuality / Shutterstock

Everyone visiting Seattle should definitely climb to the top of the Space Needle, the iconic tower built in 1962 for the World’s Fair. High-speed elevators take you to the observation deck in just 41 seconds, which offers a 360-degree panorama of Seattle, views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier. At the foot of the tower is the SpaceBase store, where you can buy a variety of souvenirs depicting the main symbol of Seattle.

Space Needle © Daniel Avram / Shutterstock

Another way to see the city from above is to ride the Seattle Great Wheel. Each of its 42 gondolas can accommodate 8 passengers. If you want to ride in comfort, book a ride in a VIP cabin with a glass floor and red leather seats. The height of the Seattle Great Wheel is 53.3 meters.

The wheel looks especially impressive in the evening when the backlight of 500,000 LED lights is switched on. After skiing, you can have dinner at one of the restaurants on the waterfront.

Seattle Big Wheel © cdrin / Shutterstock

The Seattle Aquarium is located at Pier 59 on the Elliott Bay waterfront. Its main exhibit is the huge Window on Washington Waters tank, which holds 120,000 gallons of water. The inhabitants of the Pacific Northwest live here – salmon, sea bass, wolf eels, gobies, anemones, corals. At the Seattle Aquarium, kids can see fur seals, sea otters, and river otters, as well as touch live starfish, urchins, and other coastal creatures.

The local café serves delicious pastries, ice cream and drinks, while the gift shop sells books, toys, clothing, jewelry and glassware.

Seattle Aquarium © hdnux.com

Wings Over Washington is a state-of-the-art virtual theater utilizing 5K cameras, an innovative laser projection, an innovative surround sound system and image capture drones. Sitting in your seat, you’re off on an amazing flight across Washington state. Following the eagle, you will fly over the green forests of the Cascade Mountains, the meadows of the Skagit Valley, the crater of Mount St. Helens, the cascading waterfalls of Snoqualmie, the turbulent waters of the Teton River. After making a circle over Seattle and circling the Big Wheel, the eagle descends to Pier 57, where the journey began.

The feeling of a real flight is provided by special effects – sounds, smells, water splashes, etc. In terms of technology, Wings Over Washington successfully competes with the best Disney attractions.

Wings Over Washington © do206.com

One of Seattle’s most popular attractions is the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, also known as Ballard Locks. They were built to allow boats and ships to pass from Puget Sound to Lake Washington. Children enjoy watching the mechanisms and drawbridges work, as well as the continuous movement of ships along the ship’s channel. During the summer months, shoals of salmon pass through the lock system and swim up the Sammamish River to spawn. To observe them, a special observation room Fish Ladder has been created here.

Ballard Locks is home to the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden, one of the city’s most beautiful parks. Here, 1,500 varieties of plants from all over the world are collected and an excellent rose garden is laid out. Nearby is the visitor center and a small museum dedicated to the history of the locks.

The Seattle Children’s Theater puts on plays and shows designed especially for younger audiences. The repertoire includes well-known and beloved fairy tales, classical plays and works by contemporary authors. Seattle Children’s Theater has created several educational programs and also provides interactive tours for schoolchildren and students. The children’s theater school, which operates all year round, is taught by professional actors.

Between the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) and the Seattle Center Armory is the unique Artists at Play creative play area. It was created by artists Trimpin and Judith Caldwell for children ages 5 to 12. In the center, they installed a 12-meter climbing tower with two platforms connected by a suspension bridge and tube slides. Nearby is a smaller structure designed for kids up to five years old, as well as several swings, a carousel and sandboxes.

A special feature of Artists at Play is a music venue with a large vertical xylophone. While the children are playing, parents can relax on the green lawns or benches under the shade of the trees.

In Seattle, you can not only see “the world’s most microbial attraction”, but also participate in its creation. The legendary Gum Wall is located on Post Alley near Pike Place Market. She showed up at 90s of the last century. While waiting in line at the box office, people chewed gum and then stuck it to the wall. At first, the theater staff tried to clean it, but soon abandoned this hopeless business. As a result, a section of the wall 15 meters long was covered with a thick layer of multi-colored chewing gum. The attraction “grows” every year, because all tourists visiting Gum Wall consider it their duty to contribute to its creation. Glue a few colorful pieces of chewing gum to the wall, and then take creative photos against it. In the KOBO Art Garden store at Pike Place Market, you can buy the original Gum Wall glass magnet.

Seattle’s regional cuisine is based on simple and hearty dishes of lean meats, fish and poultry, served with garnishes of fried potatoes and vegetables. There are many different salads on the menu of cafes and restaurants, and most desserts are made from fruits. Therefore, there will be no problems with the nutrition of the child. Many establishments offer a special children’s menu, as well as vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Meat in Seattle is usually grilled or charcoal-grilled with a small amount of spices. Roast beef or steak with blood are considered classics. Therefore, if you order these dishes for a child, be sure to specify the degree of their roasting.

In Seattle, you can taste the freshest fish and seafood that gets into the kitchen immediately after being caught. If your child loves fish dishes, head to Pike Place Market. The famous Pike Place Chowder restaurant is located here, where salmon, crab, shrimp, and seafood soup are excellently prepared.

Of the dishes that the locals consider iconic and traditional, children will love the Seattle dog – a hot dog with cream cheese and fried onions. And, of course, any child will be delighted with desserts. We will describe a few places that will appeal to little sweet teeth.

Shug’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream is a restaurant located in the heart of Seattle, Pike Place Market. It serves delicious ice cream with a variety of sauces and syrups, milkshakes, sodas, pastries, as well as locally roasted organic coffee. Be sure to try the signature S’more Sundae dessert with roasted marshmallows, vanilla ice cream and waffles, Champagne Float, the most popular ice cream cocktail, and Shugsicle, homemade orange soda.

Frankie & Jo’s is a vegan gluten free ice cream boutique. It does not contain cow’s milk, cream and eggs – only herbal ingredients. The basis is coconut, nut and oat milk, which is produced daily in small batches. Cane sugar, dates, vegetables, fruits and herbs give sweetness and original taste to ice cream. The owners of Frankie & Jo’s love to experiment, so they often add unusual ingredients to their desserts. For example, turmeric, charcoal, pine needles. The flour left after the extraction of vegetable milk is mixed with maple syrup, oatmeal, flax seeds and waffle cones are baked, in which ice cream is served.

Full Tilt Ice Cream Café not only offers great ice cream but also pinball. All outlets have vintage and modern slot machines, as well as stereo music systems. As for ice cream, its assortment will satisfy even the most demanding gourmet. Prefer the classics? Choose a dessert with a taste of dark chocolate, salted caramel, strawberry, vanilla. Do you want something unusual? We recommend ice cream flavored with Thai tea, Oreo coffee, blueberry crumble or salted popcorn.

Seattle is a great city to travel with kids. There is a convenient public transport system, thanks to which you can easily reach the most popular attractions. For children under 5 years – travel is free. In addition, the city has many well-equipped parks where you can relax after walking.

In many Seattle hotels, small children can stay free of charge in their parents’ room. At the same time, it should be noted that most of the hotels in the city center are designed for business people. Therefore, they do not provide game rooms, swimming pools and other amenities for families.

Washington state law requires children under the age of 8 to travel in vehicles in special seats. Until the age of 13, they are only allowed to ride in the back seat.

Seattle is often rainy and foggy. Therefore, even if you are coming here in the summer, be sure to bring raincoats and umbrellas with you. For trips to the mountains and national parks, stock up on comfortable trekking shoes.

December 2022

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Didn’t know there was a place like a kindergarten, only for the elderly. Every day, in specially equipped cars, if anyone needs it, they are taken to this charitable institution, they are fed, exercised with them, their pressure is measured, news is shown and a certain spiritual program is made.

During the meeting in Sacramento

At a meeting with such people, only unbelievers and, in the overwhelming majority, Jews, we were twice in San Francisco. But on March 11, we were at a similar meeting in Sacramento, where Russian-speaking people from evangelical churches mainly gather. I looked at them and, on the one hand, I was glad that they were in good hands and experienced such care, and on the other hand I felt sad, because these are our prayer books all gathered together here.
On the faces of some it is written that they are pleased and grateful to God, while others are discouraged by something, even aggressive. My friend even noticed how two elderly women began to fight among themselves. It’s a pity.
I was given an hour to tell them about the Motherland. In fact, at every meeting, emigrants ask how we feel about the war in Ukraine and about our President Lukashenko. I can say that one hundred percent of emigrants praise the Belarusian president.
I gave a sermon on “How Should a Christian Die?” One woman could not stand it and asked why, they say, everything is about death, but about death? Others calmed her down and I was able to continue preaching. People listened carefully.
I must say that people from different denominations gather here, including from the Council of Churches. So one of the representatives of the SC community after the meeting said to me: “There is a seal of God on you, but if you were in that brotherhood, you could be more useful.” Thank God, at least I acknowledged that the seal of God is on me and did not completely reject it…
I think about my old people in the CIS, who each sit in their own corner and feel abandoned and useless… I thought it was not bad We would like to organize something similar. After all, people somehow communicate, share some experiences, sing together, etc. Will the time come when we take on such a responsibility?

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