SPOKANE, Wash. — Parents on childcare waiting lists in Spokane County will soon find relief. The Washington State Department of Commerce in partnership with The Department of Children, Youth, and Families has awarded $5.6 million in grant funding to seven early learning projects.
This grant money was awarded through the Early Learning Facilities (ELF) grant program. Among these seven recipients, three of them are local daycare centers planning significant expansions.
The three daycares are expected to add just under 180 new slots for children.
The slots are open to low-income families who qualify under the state’s Working Class Connections program.
Guardian Angels Childcare received the largest grant at $1.6 million and plans to purchase a new building in the western part of Spokane Valley. The new building alone, would add 107 new slots.
“It’s literally doubling it. Which is huge for our families in this area,” said Christi Garcia, Guardian Angels owner.
The Salish School will receive just over $1 million to build a new campus near Elliot Court, increasing their slots from 19 to 32 children.
“It’s really, unbelievable, that you know, it’s actually in progress and it’s happening. And so anytime we get any kind of support or any funding, it’s just absolutely a miracle to us,” said Brea Desautel, co-executive director of Salish School.
Sun City Childcare expects to open 52 new spots with their grant funding.
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