The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) announced more than $727,000 in awards to improve and expand preschool facilities at four locations for participation in the Seattle Preschool Program (SPP). SEATTLE (February 17, 2021) – The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) has announced that more than $727,000 has been awarded to improve and expand preschool facilities at four locations participating in the Seattle Preschool Program (SPP). All four programs receiving capital funding are owned by women and persons of color who serve linguistically and culturally diverse children in south and central Seattle.
The Seattle Preschool Program facilities funding is part of the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy, and is designed to help providers build, upgrade, and renovate their spaces for SPP, providing increased access to high-quality preschool for Seattle families and contributing to greater kindergarten readiness for the City’s youngest learners. This year’s investment will improve existing classrooms, develop a new community-inspired playground, and add 20 new SPP slots for children to attend the City’s award-winning program.
“In 2020, our City’s preschool providers faced tremendous challenges to adapt their programs to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dwane Chappelle, Director of the Department of Education and Early Learning. “I’m thrilled that we can provide this funding to help ease the burden on some of our SPP providers toward developing and maintaining the high-quality learning environments our early learners need. These awards are an important part of our overall efforts to increase preschool access and eliminate opportunity gaps so all Seattle children are ready for kindergarten and ongoing academic success.”
The four providers receiving Seattle Preschool Program Facilities investments are:
Hearing, Speech, and Deaf Center (HSDC) – $122,258: Funds will allow HSDC to make critical upgrades to their HVAC system with the goal of improving air circulation and making the building safer for in-person learning.
Voices of Tomorrow – $128,924: A community-inspired playground for Voices of Tomorrow’s recently renovated MLK preschool site will be developed and licensed to hold 40 SPP children.
Tiny Tots – $227,927: Planned facilities work includes replacing classroom windows, doors, and flooring; creating a new resource/storage room; restroom improvements; and upgrading the kitchen connected to the SPP classroom.
West African Community Council – $248,520: Funds will go toward renovating basement garage space into a third SPP classroom, adding up to 20 new slots for children to attend SPP.
DEEL anticipates launching the next facilities funding Request for Investment process in the second half of 2021.
The Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning’s mission is to transform the lives of Seattle’s children, youth, and families through strategic investments in education.
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