Preschool children paint with their hands while their teacher leads them. The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is awarding approximately $530,000 to five Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) providers to improve and expand facilities serving the city’s youngest learners. Of the five awardees, three are family child care (home based) providers and two are child care centers. With support from the SPP Provider Facilities Fund, this year’s awardee providers are able to serve more students in high-quality classrooms.
“DEEL is proud of the investments it has made for improving quality learning environments for Seattle’s children,” said DEEL Director Dr. Dwane Chappelle. “Through these levy investments our SPP providers will be able to renovate their facilities and serve even more children in a safe and nurturing learning space for years to come.”
“The facilities fund enabled us to expand access to quality preschool in a space in the Chinatown International District that has a long history of serving the community,” said Michael Itti, Chinese Information and Service Center Executive Director. “We’re excited to prepare the next generation for school and life.”
“This award means so much because it gives me the chance to keep my program safe and welcoming for the children and families I serve every day,” said Khadra Dahir, Ilhan Home Childcare owner. “Our home has been well loved by little ones over the years, and with these renovations, I can make sure it continues to be a place where children feel secure, learn, and grow.”
The SPP Provider Facilities Fund is designed to expand and improve existing facilities to ensure long-term, sustainable access to high-quality classrooms within the Seattle Preschool Program. In the 2024-25 school year SPP served 2,355 of Seattle’s 3- and 4-year-olds and is on track to meet its goal of serving over 2,500 students for the 2025-26 school year.
A full list of awardees is below:
- Tiny Tots Development Center-Helen Hicks Building (CD 2) (- $182,462 to install an outdoor bathroom.
- Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC) (CD 2) – $133,854 to renovate new space to increase licensing capacity from one classroom to two, resulting in additional 20 spaces.
- Ilhan Home Childcare LLC (CD 1) – $66,000 for new flooring, windows, HVAC, and storage.
- Boru Family Child Care (CD 1) – $74,360 for improvements needed to increase licensing capacity from 9 to 12 children being served.
- Senait Family Home Childcare (CD 1) – $75,000 for playground improvements.
SPP’s learning environments improve school readiness for children and contribute to long-term benefits such as higher high-school graduation rates, higher lifetime earnings, and better health outcomes. For more information on SPP’s CityHealth gold award, visit cityhealth.org.
SPP provides free tuition to most Seattle families who apply, with rates calculated based on household income and family size. Parents can learn more about SPP sites and how to begin the application process at seattle.gov/applySPP. In-language Applications are available, families who need language assistance to complete the application process can contact DEEL at 206-386-1050 or email preschool@seattle.gov.
The City of Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning’s mission is to transform the lives of Seattle children, youth, and families through strategic investments in education. www.seattle.gov/education
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