Washington lawmakers seek solutions for childcare crisis, providers say more still needs to be done

SPOKANE, Wash. — Lawmakers in Olympia are trying to find a way to fix Washington’s ongoing childcare crisis.

Senate Bill 5130, which was introduced this legislative session, would eliminate licensing fees for providers. At the Nest, this annual fee costs around $480. For larger providers, those numbers can go into the thousands.

“That could be the difference between making payroll and not making payroll,” said Chelsea Inman, director of Nest Community School, a childcare facility in Spokane. “It can be a really critical piece that can be really helpful for childcare facilities.”

While eliminating this fee would go a long way, there is a lot that still needs to be done to make childcare in the community more affordable.

“For us, it’s better than nothing. But honestly, it’s not going to even be a blip on our radar as far as finances,” said Heather Theodorson, the director of Spokane childcare facility Happy Hearts.

Theodorson said if this bill goes through, it would marginally benefit them by helping break even with the center’s rising insurance costs.

While both Theodorson and Inman are happy to hear an effort is being made to make childcare more accessible, they believe more is needed.

“These kids are the future. If we are not creating a safe environment for these kids and we are not creating a healthy environment for these kids mentally, physically, emotionally, then we’re failing,” Theodorson said.

“I know that there’s a lot of other steps that need to happen and they need to happen kind of soon for childcare to remain something that is feasible for families and for businesses,” Inman said.

SB 5130 passed the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee on Wednesday. The next step is for it to go to the Ways and Means Committee.