Leveraging STEM for Social Change

Our 2024 State of the Children reports were released in March 2025. 

These updated reports capture regional and statewide data, including demographics of children ages five and under; availability of child care; and the economic impact on families, businesses, and child care providers. They are available in both English and Spanish.

We co-created reports with Washington Communities for Children, and with families and child care providers from across the state. Their insights inform policy fixes that are life-changing for those often overlooked in early learning: families of children with disabilities, BIPOC families, immigrants and refugees, and dual language learners.

Why Early Care and Education (ECE)?

By age five, 90% of a child’s brain has developed. Investing in high-quality early care and education  builds the foundation for childrens’ future learning, behavior, and health. 

Investments in high-quality ECE also support families’ economic mobility and boost the economy — yet 70% of Washington’s children and families don’t have access to this level of education. In particular, dual language learners, BIPOC families, families of children with disabilities, and families working non-traditional hours struggle to access care. The State of the Children reports were created to illuminate these disparities for policymakers, government agencies, and businesses. 

From data to action

We’ve been tracking ECE data long enough to see the impact of statewide investments including the 2021 Fair Start for Kids Act. From 2021 to 2024, over 17,000 more children ages 0-5 got access to child care. But we estimate that nearly 275,000 children are still in need. 

In this light, the State of the Children reports offer more than just a snapshot of Washington’s child care landscape — they are an advocacy tool for the necessary and overdue investments in high-quality early care and education. The reports include recommendations for policymakers and government agencies as well as contact information for regional ECE advocacy groups. 

More resources

Our State of the Children Dashboard visualizes the data included in the report series. 

Additionally, our STEM by the Numbers dashboard tracks the number of children who enter Kindergarten math-ready. Early mathematics is an important predictor of later learning outcomes – children who start strong in math, stay strong in math, and outperform their peers in literacy too. 

In partnership with the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families, we created the Child Care Need and Supply dashboard. This tool reflects the current state of Washington’s child care capacity and demand and meets the need for regular, up-to-date data on child care and preschool needs in local communities.