What is the Child Care Capacity Initiative?

The purpose of the Child Care Capacity Initiative is to increase the number of child care slots in Pierce County so that parents and guardians can return to work, children and families can get the support they need, and the local economy thrives.

Three of our primary goals are to prevent further closures, support currently operating child care providers to expand and reach capacity, and to assist child care provider entrepreneurs in launching new facilities. This includes home-based child care, as well as child care centers.

Along with the grant funds and technical assistance that we provide, providers utilize various opportunities to work toward their goals of opening or expanding their child care site including applying for grant applications, loans, fundraisers, gaining community support, or seeking private funding. As a team, we discuss different options for opening and sustainability in efforts to help make plans feasible. The provider is responsible for communicating what resources they have to invest into the process. As a team, we measure feasibility on an ongoing basis throughout the project to determine if things are aligning with each provider's goals and with the values of the Child Care Capacity Initiative Project.

We are working to create spaces that inspire children, educators, and families. Designing from a place of curiosity, awe, and wonder allows for the scarcity mind-set to melt away. Children deserve the best we have to give as an early learning community!

CCCI Reports:

Designed By Providers, For Providers

We are relying on your expertise for this project! Cohorts, or collective decision-making groups comprised of community child care providers, will have the opportunity to define their own business needs and work together to design and implement solutions. What is the best method to meet your needs with the funding that we have? How do you solve your own needs and how much does it cost? This is a space to collaborate, dream, receive needed support, start or expand your business, rethink your child care space, and use your voice in the community.

Join a Cohort! It’s Free!

The first Cohort of Providers began in January 2023. Participants have access to technical assistance, shared services, learning networks, resources, and direct funding in both group and individual settings with the Project Manager and Child Care Voice Leadership Team.

Applications for Cohort B have now closed.
Click the button below to be notified about future cohort opportunities.

We are here because we are committed to accessible, affordable, equitable, culturally relevant child care in Pierce County, Washington. We recognize that the work of local Child Care and Early Learning Providers is necessary for our community to function and for families to thrive!

Thank you for your sacrifices, commitment, and dedication. You are a gift to our community. Your vision, determination, and heart to provide the best care possible for children is exactly what families need.