Resources for Early Child Development for Issaquah & Sammamish

KCLS: Thistle Theatre Presents: Brother Coyote and Sister Fox Sat, June 07, 2025 11:30am–12:30pm Sammamish

Enjoy a delightful and hilarious puppet adaptation of a Mexican folktale.  This puppet show tells the story of Brother Coyote and Sister Fox. They each want one thing and one thing only: to catch and eat one of Doña Conchita’s plump chickens. Told in English and Spanish. Sponsored by the Sammamish Arts Commission. All ages welcome. Young children must be accompanied by an adult.  Registration not required.

ISD: Transition to Kindergarten Apply Today!

Transition to Kindergarten is a free PreK program for children who need additional preparation to be successful when they enter kindergarten the following year.  Students qualify through an application and screening process and are eligible based on financial, academic, and/or social-emotional needs. Transition to Kindergarten will focus on essential academics, social-emotional skills, and learning habits to empower children as they launch into their academic journey. Children must be at least 4 years old by August 31 of the school year and currently live within the boundaries of the Issaquah School District.  Space is limited, and priority is given to families who are impacted by limited family income and children who demonstrate the most need for additional preparation prior to entering kindergarten. 

KCLS: Online Story Times

Attend a story time online in Chinese, English, Spanish, and many other languages.

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

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: Free Education Opportunities on Zoom

  • Hitting, Biting and Tantrums…Oh My! Understanding and Reframing Challenging Behaviors in Young Children Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 6:00 – 7:30pm This class will focus on big picture concepts that will help parents and caregivers to understand the “why” behind children’s challenging behaviors. We will explore how to understand and identify adult triggers and internal beliefs and how they impact parenting – especially when children are being difficult. We will also discuss how the brain/body connection, sensory processing, and co-regulation impact behavior.

  • Complete Guide to Potty Training Monday, May 19, 2025, from 6:30 – 8:00pm This presentation incorporates current research and developmentally appropriate practices to help young children to become independent with toileting. We will share tips and tricks to make this process go as smoothly as possible for adults and children.

  • Temperament in Early Childhood Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 7:00 – 8:00pm Learn about children’s unique temperaments and the factors that influence them. This is a guided video discussion using a module from the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning and Brain Science (I-Labs).

  • Tips for Traveling with Young Children Monday, June 2, 2025, from 6:30 – 8:00pm Summer is often a time for family travel. In this class, we will discuss tips for making travel – before, during and after a vacation more successful. We will explore strategies that work for both neurodiverse and typically developing children.

  • How Play Helps Math Learning Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 7:00 – 8:00pm Did you know that children’s play helps them practice math skills? In this class we will discuss how play behaviors facilitate math learning in different ways as a child grows.  We will explore how adults can support children’s math learning by encouraging active discovery and gently guiding their play. This is a guided video discussion using a module from the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning and Brain Science (I-Labs).

  • Why Outdoor Play is Essential for Healthy Child Development Monday, June 16, 2025, from 6:00 – 7:30pm Outdoor and gross motor play are very important for children’s growth and development. This session will explore all the benefits of this type of play. We will also discuss lots of ideas and resources that will make outdoor play fun and enriching for children of all ages.

    Kindering Families In Transition Program helps parents meet the needs of their child’s development. Our program is customized for families who are experiencing housing instability, or may have other barriers to accessing services at Kindering.

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.

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.

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

King County Child Care Financial Assistance Program Applications are accepted on a rolling basis

King County has allocated $7 million of its federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding to support King County families with the cost of their child care. Eligible families may receive financial assistance to pay for their child care at eligible providers (see below for criteria). Child Care Resources is administering the program in partnership with King County.

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.

Strong Start, a new statewide data system that supports child development

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is pleased to announce the launch of the state’s new universal developmental screening system, Strong Start. It’s a free online tool where parents, caregivers, and providers can securely store, share, and track children’s developmental screening information from birth through age 5. By creating a centralized and secure location for sharing developmental information, Strong Start offers families and health care providers the opportunity to collaborate to best support each child’s unique development and make sure they find any needed support. Regular screenings show how children are doing with language, movement, thinking, and interacting with others. It’s important because the brain develops faster between birth and age 5 than any other stage. 

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