Resources for Early Child Development for Issaquah & Sammamish

UWLend: Positive Parenting Cohort 2 Project ECHO Feb 26 - April 30 FLYER with more info

Positive Parent Strategies ECHO Project adapts the ECHO Model, a collaborative learning approach often used in healthcare, to support parents and caregivers of children ages 3 to 12 with suspected or diagnosed developmental disabilities who experience interfering behaviors. Through this 10-week virtual series, families and trainees participate in “All Teach, All Learn” sessions that combine brief behavioral strategy lessons with real family case discussions. Register HERE

The Circle: Parent–child: Connect with your baby [English and Spanish] Feb 9, 2026

Through The Circle, Encompass offers this free program for families with children 16 to 30 months old who live in the Snoqualmie Valley, Riverview, and Issaquah school districts. The program provides a Early Literacy Specialist who visits your home twice a week with free books and educational toys, showing you how to use them so your child can learn through play while you strengthen your family bond.

KCLS: Online Story Times

Encompass

At Encompass, we passionately believe that every family deserves a place to turn when they need help. Through Early Learning, Pediatric Therapy, and Family Enrichment programs for children ages 0-8 and their families, Encompass has given thousands of children the foundation they need to get the right start—and thrive for a lifetime. With locations in Snoqualmie, North Bend, and Carnation, plus a host of programs offered at community locations and in the home, Encompass supports children and families across the Snoqualmie Valley and greater Eastside

ParentChild+ Open Enrollment: Offered in English and Spanish, ParentChild+ is a national program with proven outcomes. By engaging in activities that foster vocabulary and pre-literacy skills and social-emotional development, ParentChild+ graduates are 50 percent more likely to be prepared for kindergarten than their socio-economic peers, and have a 30 percent higher graduation rate. As students graduate from the program, space opens for new participants. The Encompass ParentChild+ program serves families living within the boundaries of the Snoqualmie Valley, Riverview, and Issaquah School Districts. Children must be between 16 months and 30 months old at the time of enrollment. The program is offered in both English and Spanish, and eligibility is determined by income, age, and other factors

Kindering

Kindering embraces children of diverse abilities and their families by providing the finest education and therapies to nurture hope, courage, and the skills to soar.

FREE Parent Education: Education Opportunities on Zoom

  • What Does Kindergarten Readiness Really Mean? Tuesday, February 3, 2025, from 12:00 – 1:00pm AND Monday, February 23, 2026, from 6:00 – 7:30pm Kindergarten readiness is a major buzzword, but what does it mean? Early academics seem to be the focus, but what skills do preschoolers kids really need? This class will discuss the important kindergarten readiness skills young children actually need and guide parents and caregivers to help children transition successfully to kindergarten and the school years beyond.

  • Why the First 2,000 Days Matter: A Look Inside the Brain Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from 6:00 – 7:00pm In this presentation, we will explore how early experiences (along with your love and attention) shape children’s brain development. This is a guided video discussion using a module from the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning and Brain Science (I-Labs).

Families in Transition: Families in Transition (FIT) forms a bridge carrying children from the trauma of homelessness and housing insecurity to the supports they need to promote life-long health and well-being. FIT’s trauma-informed care includes tailored developmental assessments, community based early supports, infant mental health services, therapeutic playgroups, and specialized parenting education.

STEPPING STONES TODDLER PRESCHOOL Looking for a Drop-Off Preschool for your Toddler? Stepping Stones Toddler Preschool program at Kindering is an integrated program for children 22 months-3.5 years old. Our program runs year round and kids can enroll throughout the year! Our program is designed to support learning opportunities and social experiences for young children of all abilities. Our staff is highly educated and keenly attuned to the varying developmental needs of young children. Stepping Stones has a high staff-to-child ratio (4:12) and each class is staffed by a highly qualified teacher and a teaching assistant. Additionally, a speech-language pathologist and physical/ occupational therapist participate in all activities. Flyer HERE

Social Groups: Bothell Group Starting Dec 1, 2025 Bellevue Groups in January 2026 KidsClinic Social Groups is an 8- to10-week long group session for kids with their similar aged peers. Social Groups will include up to six kids, are led by a Speech-Language Pathologist and an Occupational Therapist, and will happen weekly for an hour (day and time differ for each group and will be announced upon registration). Flyer HERE

Feeding Groups Our in-person feeding group provides opportunities for children to explore and learn about less preferred foods by sight, feel, smell, and taste. In the class, children participate in structured routines where they have the opportunity to learn through exploration and peer and adult modeling. Flyer HERE

AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION AAC is a means of communication for individuals who have difficulty using their speech to get their needs met. AAC can help a child: Express their thoughts and feelings, Achieve their language milestones, Decrease frustration, Express their medical needs, Increase their opportunities to communicate with family, friends, and others, Unlock their communication potential. Flyer HERE

Friends of Youth Healthy Starts

Are you pregnant and/or parenting a child who is younger than 5 years old? Do you wonder if your child is growing the way they should be? Are they meeting their milestones? Would you like to have someone to talk with about parenting?  The Friends of Youth Healthy Start program is voluntary and offered at no cost to families. Services provided include: Help with basic supplies - parenting support and information - health screenings - child development information - resource connection - fun monthly group events. Visit online for more details or contact 425.785.8720 or info@friendsofyouth.org

Hopelink Family Development

Hopelink’s Family Development Program will help you create a long-term, step-by-step plan of action for your future. Working one-on-one with a Case Manager, you will discover your unique strengths as you set goals and work toward those goals. Your action plan will be tailored to your family’s needs, and may include such areas as education, employment, health, housing stability, parenting and financial management. Case Managers also are connected to many local resources and will offer referrals and advocate for families when necessary. To complete a phone screening, call 425-883-4755 or complete the online form.

Families of Color Seattle - Parent Groups: Newborns, Waddlers, & Multi-age Affinity Groups

Parent groups are facilitated gatherings to increase parenting skills and provide a space to discuss identity and race. Gatherings are eight to ten weekly, two-hour sessions. FOCS curriculum includes dialogue on racism, identity, and the tools to best support raising strong and compassionate children of color. Facilitators are parents themselves with lived experience specific to the group. Find a group near you!

Perintal Support Washington

Need support? Call 1-888-404-7763 or visit our website. Perinatal Support Washington's Parent Support Warm Line is available to any pregnant person, new parent, or their loved ones in need of support and mental health information. Spanish-speaking and text support are available. ⁠The first weeks and months of being a new parent can be overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. Call, text, or email us. We can help navigate our complicated mental health system, provide information and referrals to local providers, and complete a postpartum wellness plan. We are parents and providers who have been there and understand – call us.

WIC - Women, Infants, and Children

  • WIC breastfeeding classes Online: In this class, the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor team will provide prenatal parents with Essential information about breast/chest feeding, A review of how our bodies make milk for our infants, Information and resources to get breast/chest feeding off to the best possible start.

  • WIC is for pregnant individuals, new and breastfeeding moms, and children under age 5. WIC supports mothers and children through healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and connections to additional resources and programs like First Steps

  • How to apply for WIC: Public Health offers WIC information and services at locations across King County. Home or off-site visits are also available. Call us for an appointment at a location near you 206-263-9300. or Fill out this online interest form: WIC Interest Form. Washington State Dept. of Health / Formulario de interés de WIC, Washington State Dept. of Health

Issaquah School District: ECEAP PRESCHOOL

Issaquah School District has partnered with the Washington State Department of Early Learning through the Puget Sound Educational Service District to offer Preschool and Family Assistance Programs for income-eligible children living within the Issaquah School District Boundaries. The Issaquah School District encompasses more than just Issaquah city limits, with boundaries including all of Issaquah and some neighborhoods in Bellevue, Newcastle, Sammamish, Preston, Renton, and Maple Valley.

Lake Washington School District ECEAP PRESCHOOL

The LWSD Preschool Program focuses on providing children and families with a successful first-school experience. Families with a 3- and/or 4-year-old child living within the boundaries of Lake Washington School District are eligible to apply for the preschool program. Your child must be three or four years old by August 31 and live within the Lake Washington School District boundaries.

Bellevue College’s Early Learning Center Now Open to the Community

BC’s Early Learning Center (ELC) offers childcare in a nurturing environment that encourages discovery, learning and development for children and their families. The program is designed for children ranging in ages three months to 6 years. Read about our program philosophy, our daily activities, and the qualifications of our staff. See our Parenting Resource section to download our Family Handbook!

BSK: Find a King County Child Care Health Consultant

This registry is a new tool for child care providers, including family, friend, and neighbor caregivers, license-exempt programs, and providers in licensed child care programs to find and contact independent CCHCs and CCHC teams serving King County.  Child Care Health Consultation (CCHC) promotes the health, safety, and development of children and caregivers in child care settings through coaching and training for child care providers. This registry defines child care providers broadly to include family, friend, and neighbor caregivers (FFN), providers in license-exempt programs, and providers in licensed child care programs. To learn more about child care health consultation services, watch the video.

King County: Kids Plus - Outreach, case management and support for families experiencing homelessness in King County

Kids Plus is a multidisciplinary team of nurses and social workers, addressing the health and social needs of children and families experiencing homelessness. We specialize in medical case management, yet we work to address the many complex needs that impact the health and well-being of children. Download a brochure to learn more.

BSK: New Bottle Feeding and Healthy Snack videos for child care providers and families

Seattle & King County’s Child Care Health Program (CCHP) and Best Starts Child Care Health Consultation strategy partnered to create Nutrition and Food Safety videos on Bottle Feeding Tips in Child Care Settings and Healthy Snacks for Preschoolers and Young Children. We encourage child care providers and early learning programs to reference and share these videos with families to support babies and children in their care and promote healthy child development. Videos are available in English, Spanish, Cantonese and Mandarin

BSK: Need help paying for child care? The Best Starts Child Care Subsidy is now enrolling families! 

King County families can apply for the Best Starts Child Care subsidy in a simple two-step process.   Apply today! Step one: Fill out the five-minute eligibility form. If your family is appears eligible you will be considered for the second step.   Step two: You will receive an invitation by email or text to complete the full application. Complete the full application to be considered for the subsidy.  If you are approved, this child care subsidy could reduce your costs by an average of about $15,500 per child each year. 

Working Connections Child Care Applications are accepted on a rolling basis

Apply now at this link Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) helps eligible families pay for childcare. When a family qualifies for subsidy benefits and chooses a provider, the state pays a portion of the cost of childcare. Parents may be responsible for a copayment to their provider each month. Families experiencing homelessness may be approved for up to 12 months to help resolve issues surrounding homelessness. For more details, please visit the grant website here, or if you have questions, please email providerhelp@dcyf.wa.gov or call 1-800-394-4571.

CHILD CARE AWARE OF WASHINGTON FAMILY CENTER

The Child Care Aware of Washington Family Center is a statewide call center that helps families find licensed child care providers, navigate child care financial assistance options, and find alternative forms of care. MORE INFO: Call 1.800.446.1114 or email familycenter@childcare.org for help over the phone in multiple languages.

Help Me Grow Washington Hotline 

Call 1-800-322-2588. Operated by WithinReach, the hotline provides clients and professionals with up-to-date information about state-sponsored health insurance, food programs, and a wide variety of other resources.

Washington Warm Line

WA Warm Line is a peer support help line for people living with emotional and mental health challenges. Calls are answered by specially-trained volunteers who have lived experience with mental health challenges. They have a deep understanding of what you are going through and are here to provide emotional support, comfort, and information. All calls are confidential. If you are in crisis or considering suicide, call the 24-Hour Crisis Line at 1-866-427-4747. 877-500-WARM Flyer HERE

Strong Start, statewide data system that supports child development

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is pleased to announce Strong Start is a free, secure, online system for families living in Washington. Parents, legal guardians, and providers can use it, too. Users can: - Store all developmental screening results in one place. - Easily share results with authorized providers and other care givers. - Families, health care, and early learning providers can make decisions together to help children thrive.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Washington

  • sends FREE high-quality books to kids every month until their 5th birthday . Spark a lifelong love of reading! Enroll your 0-5-year-old now