Washington State Must Pass Substitute HB 1648: A Community-Driven Solution for Child Care Staffing
Washington’s child care sector is in crisis. Chronic staffing shortages, fueled by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) child care licensing regulations, are pushing experienced providers out of the field and making it difficult for new educators to enter. But there’s a solution on the table—Substitute HB 1648—and it has overwhelming support from child care owners, directors, teachers, and other providers across the state. Why? Because this bill was drafted by child care providers themselves, and it directly addresses the challenges we face every day in hiring, retaining, and supporting quality educators.
Retaining Experienced Educators
One of the most pressing issues in child care is retaining our experienced staff. Current education requirements do not always recognize the deep expertise that long-term educators bring to the table. Many providers with years—sometimes decades—of experience are being pushed out of the field due to rigid, one-size-fits-all credentialing requirements that do not reflect the skills they already have. Substitute HB 1648 ensures that these educators are valued and retained. They are the backbone of high-quality early learning.
A Bill That Enhances Quality
Some may ask: Does this bill lower quality standards? Absolutely not. In fact, it enhances quality by keeping experienced, knowledgeable educators in classrooms, reducing turnover, while creating new opportunities for dedicated individuals to enter the field. High-quality child care is built on relationships, experience, and the ability to create nurturing, developmentally appropriate learning environments. SHB 1648 recognizes that skills and knowledge can be developed in multiple ways—not just in college classrooms, but also through hands-on experience and community-based education.
Widely Supported by the People Who Know Best
Substitute HB 1648 is not just another policy idea from outside the field—it was built by the people who work in child care every day. Those in direct service overwhelmingly support this bill because it offers real solutions to real problems. We know what it takes to run high-quality programs, and we need policies that support—not hinder—our ability to provide our needed services to local communities. Lawmakers should listen to the experts on the ground and pass this bill without delay.
A Call to Action
Washington families rely on child care so they can work, and our entire economy depends on a stable, well-supported child care industry. Substitute HB 1648 is a smart, community-driven solution that will strengthen our workforce, expand access to high-quality care, and ensure that those who dedicate their lives to this work are valued. We urge legislators to stand with child care providers and pass SHB 1648 now!
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