WAC 110-300 FAQs

This page provides answers to questions submitted by licensors and early learning providers. They are divided into the corresponding WAC section with each question assigned to an associated WAC number. If you have any questions, email dcyf.wacqanda@dcyf.wa.gov.

The DCYF Child Care Licensing Quality Assurance Council is comprised of licensing staff and leaders from across the state. The members contribute field experience, WAC knowledge and expertise with provider guidance and support. The council helps to ensure consistent guidance is provided to the provider community and the licensing workforce statewide.

(0055 – 0065) Child Outcomes

WAC 110-300-0055 - Will Early Achievers assessments satisfy the developmental screening requirement (not that they have to do the developmental screening, but if they do the EA one does it count?)

WAC 110-300-0055

The requirement under 110-300-0055 is that providers inform parents or guardians about the importance of developmental screenings. Early learning programs may offer developmental screenings on site and if the program does not, the provider must inform parents or guardians about where developmental screenings can be obtained. In order to earn point in Early Achievers, a valid, reliable screening tool must be used.

WAC 110-300-0055(1) - Will licensors be looking for written evidence that providers have informed parents or will verbal verification be sufficient? This question would also apply to 110-300-0055(2). Need more specifics on how licensors will regulate to this.

WAC 110-300-0055(1)

This rule does not require the provider have written evidence that information has been shared with families. This will be an important discussion between licensors and providers that communication is happening with families. However, a provider may choose to design communication within their parent handbook or as a one page informational sheet also.

WAC 110-300-0065 - Please tell me DCYF’s definition of: “kindergarten or school readiness”. Please list such resources links to where such materials are listed. What is DCYF’s definition of: ”Developmentally appropriate local school and school district activities designed to engage families.” Since you will be holding us responsible to comply with this WAC…We will need to know what your definition is so we can make sure that the ‘appropriate local school’ is compiling as well. And tell us where to find the links to such activities. - New 4/29/19

WAC 110-300-0065

In 110-300-0065, the requirement is that a provider “must supply to parents or guardians kindergarten or school readiness materials when developmentally appropriate for enrolled children.” What will help the child prepare or get ready for either kindergarten or school? These materials will be available either from your local school district, OSPI website, DCFY site or equivalent site.

Included as a page on the OSPI website, accessible by selecting OSPI icon, the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) is a transition process that helps to ensure a successful start to the K-12 experience and connect the key adults in a child’s life.

The three components of the program are as follows:
Family connection welcomes families into the Washington K-12 system as partners in their child’s education.
Whole-child assessment helps kindergarten teachers learn about the skills and strengths of the children in their classrooms so they can meet the needs of each child.
Early learning collaboration aligns practices of early learning professionals and kindergarten teachers to support smooth transitions for children.
http://www.k12.wa.us/wakids
Also available here is a video overview of WaKIDS in case you are not familiar and also an Early Learning Newsletter you can sign up for. Providers may already have connections and resources from local school districts or be involved in community efforts for these type of collaborations with parents, early learning providers and schools.

It is not DCYF’s intention that providers hold schools accountable for family engagement activities. In 110-300-0065 (2)(b), it indicates that the materials provided “may” address developmentally appropriate local school and school district activities designed to engage families. Most schools will have this information available realizing that partnering with parents and families brings better success to children.

WAC 110-300-0065(1) - Must the provider supply actual materials, or can they supply links to OSPI or other sites that have those materials?

WAC 110-300-0065(1)

Subsection 0065(2) specifically allows providers to supply materials that "are the same or similar to resources posted online by OSPI, the department, or other equivalent organizations." A provider has options and can decide how best to comply with this requirement and to ensure parents and families have electronic access to research materials on links.