Child care workers celebrate seat at the table

Early educators are lauding Senate passage of legislation establishing the Child Care Workforce Standards Board 

OLYMPIA, WA (March 5, 2026) — Some of Washington’s lowest paid workers finally have something to celebrate. Advocacy from more than 2,000 early educators, parents, union siblings, and community members has secured Senate passage of HB 1128, establishing a Child Care Workforce Standards Board, a seat at the table for workers, parents, and providers to come together and find solutions to Washington’s child care crisis.

HB 1128 passed the Senate 28 to 19 and will now move first to the House for concurrence then to the Governor for his signature. Early educators applauded this major step forward in a statement from their union, SEIU 925.

“I’m so proud of the educators and organizers who advocated tirelessly for this bill,” said Logan Hodge, an early educator in Seattle. “When we show up and speak out together, we can make this industry better for everyone.”

It’s an industry ripe for improvement. A survey of local childcare workers found 88% make $29 an hour or less; 66% make between $16.66 and $25 an hour. More than 80% say they have skipped breaks or worked while sick as a result of understaffing, not knowing their rights, or inadequate paid time off. More than half struggle to afford healthcare.

Child care providers and SEIU 925 President Tricia Schroeder (right) at the State Capitol. Photo: SEIU 925

“Low wages, understaffing, high turnover and high costs at Washington’s 6,000 child care centers are core drivers of a child care crisis that’s impacting millions across the state,” said Tricia Schroeder, President of SEIU 925. “Our members turned out again and again to push back on proposed cuts that would especially harm low income families, and educate lawmakers about what’s driving the lack of affordable high quality child care in our state. The Child Care Workforce Standards Board will bring together workers, employers, parents, and the state to transform the child care industry, and build the child care workforce we desperately need.”

Once established, the Child Care Workforce Standards Board will help approximately 20,000 early educators working in more than 6,000 child care facilities across Washington improve working conditions and quality of care for young children. It’s a model that has seen success in similar workforces, including nursing home and domestic workers, in states like California, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York.

In celebrating HB 1128’s progress, Tammy Grice, an early educator in Tacoma, shared her optimism for a more humane industry. “I’ve been working with children and their families for more than 30 years. Early educators get treated like babysitters instead of the professionals we are. We don’t just keep children alive. We help them reach their full potential. Passage of this legislation gives me hope things can get better.”