Washington’s Early Care and Education Substitute Pool helps licensed Family Home and Child Care Center providers find someone to fill in when needed. The program recruits and trains substitutes across the state. It is run by The Imagine Institute.
How to Use the Substitute Pool
If you are a licensed provider, you can use the substitute pool at no cost if you qualify and funding is available. You can also pay for substitutes.
Child Care Provider Eligibility
If you run a licensed family home and cared for at least one child receiving child care subsidy in the past 12 months, you can use free substitute hours. The number of hours will show when you request a substitute. You can also access additional private pay shifts by completing this form.
If you are a licensed family home child care provider who participates in Early Achievers, but have not accepted subsidy in the past 12 months, you can get a paid substitute to cover shifts while your staff focus on Early Achievers participation. You can also access additional private pay shifts by completing this form.
Licensed child care centers participating in Early Achievers can also get a paid substitute to cover shifts while staff focus on Early Achievers participation. You can also access additional private pay shifts by completing this form.
How to Request a Substitute
Providers can request a substitute through The Imagine Institute or the Substitute Pool software. If you are new, follow these steps:
- Check if your program qualifies on The Imagine Institute webpage.
- Watch the facility orientation video.
- Find a substitute.
Become a Substitute
Training is available at no cost to become a substitute. Visit MERIT to make an account and mark your interest in being a substitute on your professional record. For more information, visit The Imagine Institute, Become a Substitute webpage.
Questions?
Contact The Imagine Institute:
- Website: imaginewa.org/subpool/
- Phone: (206) 492-5249
- Email: subpool@imaginewa.org
