Child care access is critical for workers’ success.
We know those in our industries struggle with finding care during the hours they need it and where they need it. We’ve gathered resources to help you access child care.
Download our brochure, “Navigating the child care system in Washington State”: Accessible Digital PDF or Print-Quality PDF
FREE On-demand Webinar
Navigating the child care system in Washington State
Finding reliable, affordable child care is a significant challenge for workers in the building, construction, and manufacturing trades.
This problem affects people’s career trajectories, job satisfaction, home lives, overall wellbeing, and willingness to enter or remain in the trades.
This FREE webinar includes insights from child care providers, labor leaders, and will discuss:
The challenges that workers and providers are currently facing,
What resources are available now, and
What resources could be helpful in the future as we ALL work to tackle this issue for working families.
FREE! Register below:
Two types of child care:
Licensed child care
These child care settings include licensed child care centers and licensed family child care homes. Each provider must receive and maintain their license with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. They must also follow regulations and standards that can be found in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 110-300.
Licensed family homes are more likely to be able to accommodate non-standard hour care before 6 a.m. and after 6 p.m. on weekdays and weekend care.
Both licensed family homes and centers may include transportation to and from school, when needed.
Fees tend to be by the month, in order for the provider to hold the spot for the family.
Informal child care
This category includes unlicensed pre-K schools that operate for four hours or less for children 3–5 years old; family, friend, and neighbor care; and nanny care.
Family, friend, and neighbor providers may only care for the child in the child’s home, if the provider is not a relative. If the provider is a relative, they may care for the child in the provider’s home or in the child’s home.
This type of care is flexible. The family and provider would need to work out transportation options for the child if coming from another child care provider, from school, or from another setting.
Family, friend, and neighbor care is more likely to accommodate non-standard work hours (before 6 a.m., after 6 p.m., and weekends.
Fees tend to be hourly but can be mutually arranged by the month.
Frequently asked child care questions
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Washington’s child care ages are from 4 weeks to 12 years. If a child has special needs, child care can be extended past 12 years of age.
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There is no restriction on how long a child can be in child care. Families and child care providers work out the hours and schedule that best meets the needs of both parties. The only limitation is that licensed facilities must adhere to the adult to child ratios required by law.
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If your schedule changes, your child can stay in a child care facility as long as the provider is able to accommodate the change. There is no prohibition to this accommodation beyond the regulations and operating policies of the child care facility such as maintaining safe adult to child ratios and the facility being able to stay open. You should always arrange for back-up care and transportation in case the facility is not able to accommodate your schedule change.
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Child care facilities are required to follow hundreds of regulations, established by Washington State, to reduce unsafe situations and to support the best practices for children in care. That includes limiting the number of children in a licensed facility and requiring a small child-to-adult ratio. Staff are the biggest expense, so providers must charge enough to pay staff wages and benefits and to maintain a safe care environment.
Together, the labor movement and child care advocates are fighting for financial help for families, so that no family pays more than 7% of their income on child care. Contact your local union to find out how you can help.
Click to watch a video that explains the costs of child care.
Child care navigation tips
Just like you’d plan out a project, you should create a written child care plan. Here are some best practices to help:
Locate child care facilities or family/friends in your location that are a good match for your schedule, age and needs of your child,
and family.Schedule and allow time to visit various child care settings, when they are open, as soon as you know you may need child care.
Sign-up on waiting lists right away when you know your specific needs.
Have a back-up plan such as a family member or friend that can assist with transportation, care, or help out if something happens to your primary child care plan. Shift changes, overtime, school or child care closures, and sick children are a few examples.
Communicate regularly and early with your child care provider if there are anticipated changes to your schedule, so your child can continue to have consistent care. Most providers are willing to make accommodations, if possible and if they have sufficient notice.
Think of your providers as partners in your child’s development. They want the best for your child and you will need good communication, so they know how to work together with your family.
Young girl displays crayon art.
Finding child care:
Carina – carina.org
A FREE online matching service of union family home providers across Washington and in several other states.
Child Care Aware – childcareaware.org
An organization where families can find child care facilities in their location.
Child Care Check – findchildcarewa.org
A state database of licensed facilities for families to check for information about providers they are considering using.
Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) –
washingtonconnection.org
Low-income families may qualify for child care subsidies. Income requirement levels change, please call to see if you qualify. Not all providers accept the state paid subsidy. WCCC is best for families with a fairly stable schedule.
Apply for WCCC by contacting the Child Care Subsidy Contact Center at 1-844-626-8687 or online at washingtonconnection.org.
Other types of child care
Emergency sick child care: Various hospitals provide this service, however it is expensive and not very widespread
Drop-in child care center: There is no directory available of this kind of care, but they do exist.
Employer-based child care center: These are very rare, insufficient for the need, and most have long waiting lists, if they exist.
Child Care Survey and Study Report
Executive Summary
Funded by a Washington State Department of Commerce Child Care Partnership Grant, the Machinists Institute, in partnership with Washington State Labor Council, The Imagine Institute and SEIU 925, conducted a study that included two surveys—one of workers in the building, construction, and manufacturing trades, and one of child care providers—in order to better understand the scope and dimensions of workers’ challenges related to child care. Results of this study are intended to guide the work of the Washington State Apprenticeship Council Child Care in the Trades Subcommittee, which brings together stakeholders from the trades that include workers, employers, policy makers as well as workforce leaders, childcare workforce agencies and advocates.
The Challenge of Child Care for Workers in the Building, Construction, and Manufacturing Trades
Thank you to machinists, construction, and building trades workers who completed our survey. This report combines your answers with a survey of child care providers to highlight where opportunities for improvement are, and how we can move forward to address the child care needs of workers in our state!